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ipr, 


A   HISTORY 


TOWN  OF  INDUSTRY, 

FRANKLIN    COUNTY,   MAINE, 

From  the   Earliest   Settlement  in    1787   down   to   the   Present 

Time,   Embracing    the   Cessions  of  New  Sharon, 

New  Vineyard,  Anson,  and  Stark. 


IN    TWO    PARTS, 


Including  the  History  and  Genealogy  of  Mann    of  the 
Leading  Families  of  the  Town. 


WILLI  A  M     COLLI  X  S     H  A  T  C  H 


FARMINGTON,  MAINE: 

PRESS   OF  KNOWLTON,  McLEARY  &  CO. 

1893. 


14 


n  i 

ELIZABETH    SHOREY    PRICE, 

WHO,    BY    HER    GENEROUS    BENEFICENCE    AND    KINDLY    INTEREST    IN   THE 

TOWN   OF    HER    ADOPTION,    HAS    RENDERED    HER    NAME 

DEAR    TO    EVERY    CITIZEN    OF    INDUSTRY, 

THIS    HUMBLE    WORK    IS    RESPECTFULLY    DEDICATED 

BY    THE     A  L'THO  K  . 


PREFACE. 

The  novice  in  the  literary  arena  is  prone  to  apologize  for  his  work, 
but,  for  the  nonce,  he  has  no  apology  to  offer.  His  work  is  to  be 
weighed  by  a  discriminating  public  ;  should  it  be  found  wanting,  of 
what  avail  will  apology  prove?  In  undertaking  this  work  the  author  was 
actuated  by  a  higher  motive  than  mere  love  for  sordid  gain.  Though 
not  widely  known.  Industry  is  a  town  that  has  a  history  of  which  every 
citizen  may  justly  be  proud.  Larger  towns  may  claim  the  peerage  in 
other  directions,  but  when  its  part  in  furnishing  the  brain  and  brawn  of 
the  busy  world  is  taken  into  account.  Industry  is  entitled  to  high  rank 
among  her  sister  towns.  To  rescue  the  life-story  of  these  noble  men 
and  women  from  oblivion  has  been  the  author's  aim.  How  well  he  has 
succeeded  let  the  intelligent  reader  decide.  Many  years  ago  the  author 
conceived  the  idea  of  writing  a  history  of  his  native  town,  but  not  until 
1882  did  he  become  actively  engaged  in  the  work.  The  results  of  his 
researches  are  embodied  in  the  following  pages. 

Errors  undoubtedly  occur  in  this  work,  for  surprising  discrep- 
ancies often  exist  between  family,  town  and  church  records.  In  some 
instances  even  town  records  contain  conflicting  dates.  Again,  memories 
are  fallible,  some  of  course  to  a  greater  degree  than  others.  Hence, 
family  records  furnished  the  author  from  different  sources  sometimes 
disagree.  To  determine  which  is  correct  is  often  extremely  difficult,  if 
not  an  impossible  task.  In  Part  Second  the  author  has  conformed 
largely  to  peculiarities  of  each  person  in  regard  to  the  orthography  of 
christian  names. 

Occasionally  q.  v.  (meaning  which  see)  will  be  found  in  the  Genea- 
logical Notes  without  the  corresponding  record  to  which  reference   is 


vi  PREFACE. 

made.  These  omissions  are  due  to  the  fact  that  the  author  was 
compelled  to  condense  the  last  half  of  Part  Second  in  the  manuscript 
even  to  the  elimination  of  many  family  records. 

The  name  of  a  neighboring  town  has  been  invariably  spelled  Stark. 
This  the  author  believed  was  correct,  as  it  is  so  spelled  in  the  act  of 
incorporation  recorded  in  the  record-  of  the  town  and  also  on  the  plan 
sent  to  the  General  Court  with  petition  for  incorporation.  Recent 
developments,  however,  show  that  the  name  is  spelled  with  a  final  s  as 
recorded  in  the  archives  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts. 

The  author  would  here  acknowledge  with  a  deep  sense  of  gratitude 
the  assistance  and  untiring  interest  of  Dr.  John  F.  and  Mrs.  Annie 
(Currier)  Pratt,  of  Chelsea.  Mass..  who  have  contributed  in  no  small 
degree  to  the  interest  and  completeness  of  this  work.  Great  credit  is 
also  due  the  printers,  Messrs.  David  H.  Knowlton  and  Frank  E. 
McLeary,  for  their  constant  personal  attention  to  every  detail  of  the 
work  while  the  volume  was  passing  through  the  press. 

To  those  who,  by  their  hearty  co-operation  and  friendly  counsel, 
have  done  much  to  lighten  the  cares  of  his  onerous  labor,  the  author 
would  tender  his  heartfelt  thanks,  with  the  assurance  that  while  life 
lasts  he  will  ever  cherish  pleasing  recollections  of  their  kindness. 

Finally,  to  one  and  all:  If  errors  are  discovered,  as  they  usually 
can  be  in  works  of  this  description,  will  you  oblige  the  author  by  not 
(  ailing  his  attention  to  them? 

J  wi  \u\    25.  1893. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 
INTRODUCTORY. 

General  Characteristics.—  Boundaries.—  Soil. —  Productions.—  ( )bjects  of  Interest.— 
Scenery,  etc.,     .....•••••■•  '.5 

CHAPTER   II. 

LAND    TITLES. 

Early  Attempts  to  Colonize  New  England.— King  James's  ('.rant.— The  Kennebec 
Purchase. — The  Appraising  Commission,  etc.,  etc -1 ) 

CHAPTER    IIP 

SETTLEMENT   OF   THE    TOWN. 
The    Plymouth    Patent.— The    New    Vineyard    Core.— The    Powell    Strip.— North 
Industry.  4° 

CHAPTER    IV. 

EVENTS  FROM   1S00    TO    18 10. 

Condition  of  the  Settlers. —  Plantation  Organized. —  Town  Incorporated. —  Roads. — 
Early  Town  <  Ifficers. —  The  Embargo  Act. —  The  Town  Becomes  a  Part  of 
Somerset  <  'ounty,  etc.,  etc.,  .........  5° 

CHAPTER    Y. 

THE   JOURNAL    OF    WM.    ALLEN,    ESQ. 
Being  a   Full  Account  of  the    Emigration  of  his  bather,  ('apt.   William  Allen,  from 
Martha's  Vineyard  to  the  District  of  Maine,  together  with   an   Interesting  De- 
scription of  their  Pioneer  Life,  ........         72 


viii  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER    VI. 
SCHOOLS. 

First  School.— Incompetence  of  Early  Teachers.— The  Log  School-House  on  the 
Gore.— Other  School-Houses.— High  Schools.— Free  High  Schools.— Wade's 
Graduating  System. — Text-Books. — Statistical, 9° 

CHAPTER    VII. 

RELIGIOUS  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 
The  Baptist  Society. — The  Methodists.— The  Congregational  Society. — The  Free  Will 
Baptists. — Protestant  Methodists,  etc., '  'I 

CHAPTER    VIII. 

THE  MILITIA   AND    1812    WAR. 

Military    Company    Organized.— Flection    of  Officers.  —  Equipments    Required    by 

Law. —  First    Training. — Muster  at  Farmington. — Money  Raised  to  Buy  Military 

Stores. —  Muster   Roll  of  Capt.    Daniel    Beede's  Company. —  Cavalry  Company 

Organized. —  Powder-House  Built. — The  Industry  Rifle  Grays,  .         .       156 

CHAPTER    IX. 

MILLS  AND  MANUFACTURING. 
Water  Powers  of  Industry.— First  Grist-Mill  Erected. —  Capt.  Peter  West  Frects 
Mills.— Cornforth's  Grist-Mill. — FlishaM.umbert's  Grist  and  Saw-Mills. — Cutler's 
MiHs —Davis's  Mills.— (lower's  Mills.— Capt.  John  Thompson  Erects  Mills  near 
Stark  Line.— West  and  Manter's  Saw-Mill. — Clover  Mill.— First  Shingle  Machine, 
— Daggett  and  Brown's  Shingle  Mill. — William  Cornforth's  Fulling-Mill. — James 
(lower's  Fulling-Mill.— Allen  &  Co.'s  Starch-Factory.— Deacon  Emery's  Bark 
Mill. —  Other  Tanneries.— Shovel  Handles. —  Rake  Manufacturing. —  Smith  & 
Coughlin's  Spool- Factory. —  Oliver  Bros.'  Steam  Pox- Factory. —  RacklifPs  <  hair- 
Factory. — Mechanics,  etc.,  .........        166 

CHAPTER    X. 

MERCHANTS. 
First  Store  in  Town. — Esq.  Peter  West. — John  West. — Johnson  &  Mitchell.— Geo. 
Cornforth.— Capt.  Jeruel  Butler.  (has.  Butler.— Col.  Peter  A.  West.— (apt. 
Freeman  liutler. — John  Allen,  Jr. — 'Thing  &  Allen. — James  Davis. — John  Mason. 
— Moses  Tolman,  Jr. —  Esq.  Samuel  Shaw. —  Israel  Folsom. — Col.  P.enj.  Luce. 
Christopher  Goodridge. —  Cyrus  X.  Hutchins. —  Willis  &  Allen. —  Zachariah 
Withee. —  John  W.  Dunn.— Supply  B.  Norton. —  Rufus  Jennings. —  Enoch 
Hinkley. —  Amos  S.  Hinkley. —  Isaac  Norton. — Warren  X.  Willis. —  Boyden  & 
Manter. —  Maj.  fames  Cutts. —  Franklin  and  Somerset  Mercantile  Association. — 
fohn  Willis.— Willis  &  Clayton.— John  &  Benj.  X.  Willis.-  Duley  &  Norcross. — 
lames  M.  &  Alonzo  Norton. —  James  M.  Norton  A  Co. —  Asa  II.  Patterson. — 
Caswell  &  Hilton. — Shaw  &  Hinkley. —  Harrison  Daggett,  etc.,  .         .       193 


CONTENTS.  i  x 

CHAPTER    XI. 

EVENTS  FROM  1S10  TO  1830. 
Condition  of  the  Settlers. — Expense  of  Transacting  the  Town  Business. —  Pounds  ami 
Pound-Keepers. —  Attempts  to  Establish  a  New  County  to  Include  Industry. — 
Cower's  (now  Allen's)  Mills  Becomes  a  Part  of  Industry. — "The  Cold  Fever" 
Epidemic. — The  Thompson  Burial  Cround. — New  Vineyard  Gore  Becomes  a  Part 
of  Industry. — Great  Gale  of  181 5. — Question  :  "  Shall  Maine  Become  an  Indepen- 
dent State?"  Agitated. — Vote  for  Maine's  first  Governor. — Population  Increases. 
— "  Blind  Fogg." — First  Sunday-School. — Road  Troubles. — First  Eiquor  License 
Issued. — The  Residents  of  New  Vineyard  Gore  Pass  the  Ordinance  of  Secession 
and  Ask  to  be  Made  Citizens  of  Strong. — The  Town  Receives  Additions  from 
Stark  and  Anson. — Subject  of  Building  a  Town-House  Discussed. — Great  Drouth 
and  Fire  of  1825. — First  Meeting- House  in  Town.— Meeting-House  F.rected  at 
the  Centre  of  the  Town. — The  Industry  North  Meeting-House,  .  .        204 

CHAPTER    XII. 

POST-OFFICES,  REMINISCENCES  OF  JOHN  MASON,  AND 
CORRESPONDENCE   OF   CAPT.    JERUEL   BUTLER. 

Lack  of  Postal  Facilities. — High  Rates  of  Postage. — First  Post-Office  Established. — 
Jonathan  Goodridge  Appointed  Postmaster. — Mail  Brought  from  Farmington. — 
Mail  from  Stark  ( )nce  a  Week. — Mail  Route  Changed. — Mail  Received  via  New 
Sharon. —  lames  Davis  Appointed  Postmaster. —  Other  Postmasters. —  Industry 
Post-Office  Changed  to  Allen's  Mills. — Post-Office  Established  at  West's  Mills.— 
Esq.  Peter  West  Appointed  Postmaster. — Lower  Rates  of  Postage. — Stamps  First 
Used. —  Era  of  Cheap  Postage  Begins. —  Rates  Fixed  According  to  Weight 
Instead  of  Distance. — Other  Postmasters  at  West's  Mills. — Glass  Call-Boxes  First 
Introduced. —  Mail  Carriers. —  Change  of  Time. —  Industry  Gets  a  Daily  Mail 
from  Farmington. — North  Industry  Post-Office,  etc.,  ....       226 

CHAPTER    XIII. 

TEMPERANCE  MO  CEMENTS. 
Prevalence  of  Rum  Drinking.— The  License  Law. — Five  Licenses  Granted. — Town 
Votes  "Not  to  License  Retailers." — The  Ministerial  Association  Passes  Resolu- 
tions Against  the  Use  of  Spirituous  Liquors. — First  Temperance  Society  Formed. 
— Esq.  West's  Temperance  Society. — The  Washingtonian  Movement. — The  Allen's 
Mills  Watch  Club. —  First  Division  Sons  of  Temperance  Organized. —  The 
"  Union  Peace  Temperance  Society." — The  Sons  of  Temperance  at  Allen's  Mills. 
— The  Order  of  Good  Templars  in  Industry. — Juvenile  Temples.— The  Iron 
Clad  Club, 246 

CHAPTER    XIV. 

REMINISCENCES. 
Religious  Views  of  the  Early  Settlers. — Strict  Observance  of  the  Sabbath. — Destitute 
Circumstances. — Agricultural  Implements. — Bread  Baking. — Substitute  for  Cook- 


CONTENTS. 

ing  Soda. — The  Luxuries  of  Pioneer  Life. — Methods  of  Starting  a  Fire. — 
Harvesting  Grain. — Depredations  of  Hears.-  A  Good  Bear  Story.— Cows  and 
Swine  Allowed  tu  Roam  at  Will  in  the  Woods.-  Spinning  and  Weaving. — 
Domestic  "Tow  and  Linen"  Cloth. —  Flax-Culture. —  Wool-Growing  in  Industry. 
— The  Tin  Baker. — Introduction  of  Cooking  Stoves. — First  Thoroughbraced 
Wagon  Brought  to  Town. — Shoe-Making. — First  Threshing-Machine. — Sewing- 
Machine.  —  Mowing-Machines. —  Air-Tight  Cooking-Stoves. —  Methods  oi 
Measuring  the  Flight  of  Time. — The  Hour-Class. — Sun  Dials. — Clocks. — Nails. 
— Methods  of  Lighting  the  Settlers'  Homes. — Tallow  Dips. — Whale  <  HI.-  -Burn- 
ing Fluid. — Kerosene. — Sugar-Making. — Intentions  of  Marriage. — Quill  Pens. — 
Anecdotes,  etc.,  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .26] 


.      CHAPTER    XV. 

EVENTS  FROM    1830    TO   i860. 

Condition    of  the  Town. — Population. — Valuation. — Small-Pox   Scare. — Attempts  to 
Change  the  Centre  Post-Office  to  Withee's  Corner. — hirst  Public  House  Opened. 

—  Fxtensive  Land-Owners. — Large  Stock-Owners. —  Effect  of  the  High  Tariff  on 
the  Inhabitants  of  Industry. — Residents  in  the  South  Part  of  the  Town  Ask  to 
l>e  Made  Citizens  of  New  Sharon. — Remarkable  Meteoric  Shower. — "  Temperance 
Hotel"  Opened. — (  )ther  Public  Houses. — Financial  Crisis  of  [837. — The  Surplus 
Revenue  Distributed. — Auroral  Display. —  Franklin  County  Incorporated. — Diffi- 
culties in  Choice  of  Representative. — Prevalence  of  the  Millerite  Doctrine.-  I  ud 
of  the  World  Predicted. — 7000  Acres  Set  off  from  New  Vineyard  and  Annexed 
to  Industry. —  Vigorous  Fight  of  the  Former  Town  to  Recover  its  Lost  Territory. 

—  The  Pioneers  of  Liberty. — Destructive  Hail-storm.  New  County  Roads  Fstab- 
lished. — Subject  of  Erecting  a  Town-House  Discussed. — A  Grand  Sunday-School 
Picnic. — The  Free-Soil  Party. —  Efforts  to  Suppress  Rumselling. — Town  Liquor 
Agents. — The  License  Law. — General  Prosperity  of  the  Town. — One-half  the 
New  Vineyard  (.ore  Set  off  to  Farmington. — South  Part  of  the  Town  Set  off  to 
New  Sharon,  etc.,       ...........        273 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

EVENTS  FROM    i860    TO    1866. 

'olitical  Excitement. — The  John  Brown  Insurrection. — Diphtheria  Epidemic. —  Resi- 
dents of  Allen's  Mills  Petition  the  Legislature  for  Annexation  to  Farmington. — 
War  Meeting  Held  at  West's  Mills. — Patriotic  Resolutions  Passed. — Lively  Times 
at  Subsequent  Meetings. — Muster  and  Celebration  at  West's  Mills,  July  4,  [866. 
— Call  for  Troops. — A  Comet  Appears. — Greal  Scarcity  of  Silver  Money. — 
Methods  Devised  for  Supplying  the  Defect.-  The  I".  S.  Fractional  Currency. — 
Disheartening  News  from  the  War.  Mason  and  Slidell  Arrested. —  Belligerent 
Attitude  of  England. — Total  Failure  of  the  Fruit  Crop  of  1866. — Militia  En- 
rolled and  Organized. —  first  Industry  Soldiers'  Lives  Sacrificed. — Obsequies 
at  the  Centre  Meeting-House. —  More  Soldiers  Wanted. —  Liberal  Town  Bounty 
Offered  for  Enlistments. — A  Call  for  Nine-Months'  Troops. —  Draft  Ordered. — 


CONTENTS.  xi 

Generous  Measures  Adopted  by  the  Town  to  Avoid  a  Draft. — A  Stirring  Mass 
Meeting  for  Raising  Volunteers. — Provisions  for  Destitute  Soldiers'  Families. — 
News  of  the  Emancipation  Proclamation  Reaches  Industry. — The  Conscription 
Act. — Anxieties  of  Those  Liable  to  a  Draft. — Disloyal  Utterances  in  Other  Towns. 
—  Industry  True  to  her  Country. — Piratical  Craft  Reported  off  the  Maine  Coast. 
— Revenue  Cutter  "Caleb  dishing  "  Captured  in  Portland  Harbor,  .       29S 


CHAPTER    XVII. 

EVENTS  FROM  i860    TO    1866    CONTINUED. 

General  Lee  Begins  the  March  of  an  Invader. — Crosses  the  "  Mason  and  Dixon 
Line." — Gloomy  Prospects  of  the  Federal  Cause. — Numerous  Desertions  from  the 
Union  Army. — Organization  of  the  Districts  under  the  Provisions  of  the  Con- 
scription Act. — First  Conscripts  from  Industry. — The  Non  Compos  Conscript. — 
"The  Kingfield  Riot." — Efforts  of  Drafted  Men  to  Secure  Town  Bounty. — The 
Somerset  and  Franklin  Wool-Growers'  Association. — Call  for  More  Troops. — 
#300  Town  Bounty  Offered  for  Volunteer  Enlistments. — Stamp  Act  Passed. — 
Steamer  "  Chesapeake "  Captured. — -Attempts  Made  to  Raid  Maine's  Eastern 
Border. —  Re-enlistments. —  Furloughed  Soldiers  Tendered  a  Banquet. — $600 
Offered  for  Volunteer  Enlistments. — Second  Draft  Made. — Small-Pox  Outbreak. 
— Aid  to  Soldiers  in  the  Field. — -Inflated  Prices. — Efforts  of  Men  who  Furnished 
Substitutes  to  Recover  the  Sum  Paid  for  the  Same. — Third  Draft  Made. — Close 
of  the  War. — Great  Rejoicing. — Flag-raisings  at  Allen's  and  West's  Mills. — 
Assassination  of  President  Lincoln. — Memorial  Services  in  Industry. — Cost  of  the 
War  to  the  Town  of  Industry,  .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .312 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

THE  BOYS  IN  BLUE. 

Francis  <  >.  bean. — Nelson  O.  Bean. — George  W.  Boyden. — Charles  E.  Burce. — James 
O.  Burce. — John  C.  Burce. — William  S.  Burce. — George  II.  Butler. — John  P. 
Butler. — Addison  H.  Chase. — Addison  F.  Collins. — Daniel  S.  Collins. — James  W. 
Collins. — Daniel  A.  Conant. — John  F.  Daggett. — Hiram  P.  Durrell. — William  II. 
Edwards. — John  D.  Elder. — Carlton  P.  Emery . — George  C.  Emery. — Zebulon  M. 
Emery. — Calvin  B.  Fish. — Eben  Fish. — Benjamin  Follett. — William  Q.  Folsom. — 
William  II.  Frost. — John  F.Gerry. — Bradford  Gilmore. — Almore  Haskell. — John 
M.  Howes. — Adriance  R.  Johnson. — William  G.  Lewis. — Fiheld  A.  Luce. — John 
T.  Luce. —  Henry  S.  Maines. —  Gilbert  R.  Merry. —  Elias  Miller. —  Henry  ( i. 
Mitchell. — Atwood  Morse. — John  M.  Nash. — David  M.  Norton. — Oliver  D.  Nor- 
ton.— James  Pinkham. — Samuel  Pinkham. — Wellington  Pinkham. — Wilder  Pratt. 
— Charles  S.  Prince. — Albanus  D.  Quint. — William  L.  Quint. — Edwin  A.  R. 
Rackliff.— Elbridge  H.  Rackliff.— John  O.  Rackliff.— Samuel  Rackliff.— William 
J.  Rackliff. —  Reuel  H.  Rogers. —  Lyman  M.  Shorey. — Andrew  J.  Spinney. — 
John  C.  Spinney. —  Benjamin  Tibbetts.—  Benjamin  F.  Tibbetts. —  Clinton  H. 
Webster^ — David  C.  Whitney. — Aaron  E.  Williams. — George  F.  Williams. — O. 
L.  Young,  .....".......       327 


CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER    XIX. 
EVENTS   FROM   1866   TO    1893. 

id  Matters.— The  Curtis  Pinkham  Road. — Stark  Asks  for  a  Better  Road  through 
Industry  to  Farmington. — Route  to  Madison  Bridge  Shortened  and  Improved. — 
Industry  Votes  on  Amendment  to  Liquor  Law. — "The-  Gold  Fever."— Unusual 
Snow-fall  in  the  Winter  of  1868-9. — Destructive  Freshet  of  [869.— Heavy 
Thunder-storm. — Beautiful  Display  of  Aurora  Borealis. — A  Heavy  1  iale. — The 
Great  Earthquake  of  1870. — Grasshopper  Plague. — State  Equalization  Ponds. — 
Industry  Farmers'  and  Mechanics'  Club. — The  Enterprise  Cheese  Manufacturing 
Company. — ( trders  Forged  on  the  Town  of  Industry. — Pri/.e  L>eclamations  at 
West's  Mills. — Extensive  Improvements  on  the  Centre  Meeting-House. —  The 
Greenback  Party  in  Industry. — Caterpillar  Scourge. —  Freshet  of  1S7S. — Severe 
Drouth. — Cattle  Show  and  Fair. — Independence  Day  Celebrated  at  West's  Mills. 
— Destructive  Fire. — A  Bear  Commits  Many  Depredations  in  Industry. — Red 
Sunsets. — Gale  of  November,  [883. — Planets  in  Perihelion. — Town  Votes  to  Buy 
a  Poor-Farm. — Allen's  Mills  Union  Agricultural  Society. — A  Maine  Blizzard. — 
Potato  Crop  Ruined  by  Rust. — Industry's  New  Methodist  Church. — A  Maine 
Cyclone.  —  La  Grippe. — Shorey  Chapel  Erected,  etc.,  ....       385 


CHAPTER    XX. 

MISCELLANY. 

Physicians. — Tallest  Soldier  from  Maine. — Table  of  Incidents. — Poem:  "To  the  <  >ld 
Church  Bell." — Town  Officers  from  the  Incorporation  of  the  Town  to  1893. — 
County  Commissioners. —  Senators. —  Representatives  to  the  Legislature. — 
Marriages  Solemnized  by  Esq.  Cornelius  Norton. —  Examination  Questions. — 
Statistical.— Town  Officers'  Bills. — Date  of  Ice  Leaving  Clear  Water  Pond. — 
Temperature  Chart. —  Industry's  Gubernatorial  Vote. — List  of  Voters  in  Industry. 
1855, 434 


GENEALOGICAL    NOTES. 


ALLEN, 

Ambrose, 

Ames, 

Atkinson, 

BAILEY, 

Bean, 
Beede,    . 
Benson, 
Boardman, 
Boyden, 
Bradbury, 
Brown,   . 
Bryant,  . 
Burgess, 
Burns,     . 
Butler,    . 

CHESLEY, 

Clark,  . 
Coffin,  . 
Collins,  . 
Cornforth, 
Cottle,  . 
Crompton, 
Cutler,  . 
Cutts,      . 

DAGGETT, 

Davis, 

EDGEC<  »MB 
Edwards, 

Elder,  . 
Ellis,  . 
Emery,  . 
Eveleth, 

FISH,    . 
Follett, 
Frost, 
Furbush, 

GILMORE, 

Goodridge, 


47' 
49S 
500 
501 

507 

5°9 
5°9 

512 

5J3 
5i6 

S20 
S2I 

523 
524 
524 
525 

539 

540 

542 
542 
562 

565 
565 
567 
569 

570 
589 

601 
602 

603 
603 
004 
014 

617 
621 
622 
623 

623 
624 


Goodwin, 626 

Gower, 628 

Graham, 630 

Greenleaf,         631 

Greenwood, 635 

HAMMOND, 637 

Harris, 637 

Hatch, 638 

Hayes, 642 

Higgins, 647 

Hildreth, 648 

Hilton, 650 

Hinkley, 651 

Hobbs, 653 

Howes, 655 

Huston, 660 

JEFFERS,      . 661 

Jennings, 662 

Jewett, 663 

Johnson, 663 

KYES, 673 

LOOK, .     .  674 

Luce, 675 

MANTER, 719 

Marshall 732 

Mason, 732 

Meatier, 734 

Merrill,        738 

Merry, 741 

Moody,        745 

NORCROSS 746 

Norton, 751 

OLIVER, 783 

PATTERSON, 784 

Pike, 791 

RACKLIFF, 792 


XIV 


GENE.  Ma  hMCAL    NOTES. 


Remick, 
Roach,   . 

SHAW, 
Shorey, 

Smith,     . 
Spinney, 

Stevens, 

Swift,       . 

THING, 


797 
800 

So  1 
8«  >8 
Su 
814 
81 S 
817 

819 


Thompson, 820 

Tolman, 825 

Trask, 827 

True, 832 

VII  I'.S 834 

WEST, 838 

Willis, 840 

Winslow, 844 

Withee, 846 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Wm.  C.    Ha  rCH, Frontispiece. 

~  Residence  i  if  <  'ait.  John  Thompsi  in 44 

'    Christi ipher   S.  Luck, i  ty 

-  M.  E.  Church  at  West's    Mills, 140 

'   Wm.   A.    Merrill, 155 

"  Ira   Emery, 181 

~  Centre  Meeting— House 219 

'  Wm.    Harvey    Edwards, 338 

Lyman   M.   Shorey, 374 

Shorey  Chapel, 422 

John  Allen, [77 

Asaph   Boyden 516 

Pi  1  i-.i;  W.    Hi  tler 536 

-  Thomas  C  Collins, 551 

Wm.  Broderick   Davis 598 

I  ra    Em  ery, 609 

"  Chas.  R.   Fish, 619 

Nathan  (  Ioodridge, 625 

Stephen    H.  Hayes, 643 

Edmund   Hayes, 644 

;  Geo.  W.  Johnson, 666 

Henry  True  Luce, 677 

(  !has.   I.i<i 70S 

(  lEORGE    MaNTER, J2<) 

S.  Hawks   Norton, 71.11 

Franklin  W.    P.vtterson, 788 

Daniel    Shaw, 801 

Pelatiah  Shorey 808 

Eben  G.  Trask, s  - 1 

Zachariah    Withee, 847 


HISTORY   OF   INDUSTRY 


CHAPTER  I. 

INTRODUCTORY. 


General    Characteristics. —  Boundaries. —  Soil. —  Productions. —  Objects    of    Lnterest. 
—  Scenery,   Etc. 

( )N  inspecting  a  topographical  map  of  the  town  of  Industry, 
the  most  striking  feature  which  presents  itself  to  the  eye  of  the 
observer,  is  the  extreme  irregularity  of  its  boundary  lines  and 
the  peculiar  distribution  of  the  lands  comprising  it.  These 
peculiarities  are  to  be  attributed,  in  a  large  measure,  to  the 
acquirement  of  lands  from  adjoining  towns  since  its  incorpora- 
tion. When  incorporated,  the  town  of  Industry  contained  only 
about  thirteen  thousand  acres,  bounded  as  follows :  On  the 
west  by  Farmington  and  New  Vineyard,  on  the  north  by  New 
Vineyard,  on  the  east  by  Stark,  and  on  the  south  by  unincorpo- 
rated lands  of  the  Plymouth  Company  and  New  Sharon.  Since 
then,  the  town  has  received  additions  from  all  the  adjoining 
tow  ns  with  the  exception  of  Farmington.  In  1813,  it  received 
from  New  Sharon  its  first  addition,  consisting  of  a  tract  of  land 
containing  two  thousand  acres,  including  the  village  of  Allen's 
Mills  and  a  portion  of  Clear  Water  Pond.  In  181  5,  that  portion 
of  New- Vineyard  known  as  the  Gore,  containing  fifteen  hundred 
and  sixty-four  acres,  was  set  off  from  that  town  and  annexed  to 
Industry.  Then  from  Stark,  in  1822,  a  tract  of  land  con- 
taining four  hundred  acres  was  added,  and  a  year  later,  two  lots 
of  three   hundred   and   twenty  acres   from   the   town  of  Anson. 


14  HISTORY  OF   INDUSTRY. 

In  1844,  that  part  of  New  Vineyard,  since  known  as  North 
Industry,  containing  seven  thousand  acres,  was  set  off  from  that 
town  and  annexed  to  Industry.  Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  by 
the  various  acquisitions  up  to  this  date  (1892)  over  ten  thou- 
sand acres  have  been  added  to  the  original  acreage  of  the  town. 
Since  1850,  lands  have  been  set  off  from  Industry  to  the 
adjoining  towns  of  Farmington  and  New  Sharon  to  the  amount 
of  two  thousand  acres.  First  to  Farmington  in  1850,  three 
farms  on  the  western  part  of  the  Gore,  containing  in  the  aggre- 
gate, seven  hundred  and  eighty-two  acres,  including  the  farms 
of  Nathan  Cutler,  Alexander  Hillman,  Eunice  Davis,  and  others. 
By  this  concession,  Industry  lost  seven  polls,  and  six  thousand 
dollars  from  the  valuation  of  the  town.  Next,  in  1852,  a  tract 
of  land  embracing  lots  No.  43,*  46,  47,  48,  49,  50,  59,  61,  62, 
63,  64,  66,  6/,  68,  and  all  that  portion  of  lot  No.  70,  in  Stark, 
which  lay  in  Industry,  likewise  a  portion  of  lots  H  and  M,  the 
whole  of  lots  I,  N,  P,  O  and  R,  together  with  four  small  plots 
belonging  to  lots  No.  J2,  j$,  74  and  75  in  Stark,  containing 
sixteen  hundred  and  sixty-five  acres,  was  set  off  from  the  south 
point  of  Industry  and  annexed  to  New  Sharon.  Industry  lost 
by  this  concession  fifteen  polls,  and  sixteen  thousand  seven 
hundred  dollars  from  its  valuation,  or  over  eleven  hundred  dol- 
lars for  each  poll.  This  tract  of  land  embraced  some  of  the 
best  farms  and  wealthiest  farmers  in  town,  such  as  Asa  H. 
Thompson,  George   Hobbs,  Franklin   Stone,  and  others.     Thus 


*  Esq.  Wm.  Allen  fails  to  mention  this  lot,  in  his  history  of  the  town,  also  lots 
numbered  46,  47  and  66,  but  adds  41,  42  and  51,  as  among  those  set  of!  to  New 
Sharon.  The  following  abstract  from  Acts  and  Resolves  of  the  Maine  Legislature  for 
1852,  gives  the  boundaries  of  the  niece  set  off  as  follows:  "Commencing  at  the 
southeast  corner  of  the  town  of  Industry;  thence  running  northwesterly  on  the 
dividing  line  between  New  Sharon  and  Industry  till  an  east  course  will  strike  the 
southwest  corner  of  lot  number  forty-five;  thence  on  the  south  lines  of  forty-five,  lot 
marked  S,  and  lot  number  forty-one  easterly  to  the  southeast  corner  of  number  forty- 
one;  thence  or.  such  a  course  as  in  a  direct  line  will  strike  the  northwestern  corner  of 
lot  marked  1';  thence  easterly  on  the  line  of  lot  marked  P  to  the  west  line  of  lot 
marked  M ;  thence  easterly  the  same  course  until  it  strikes  the  town  line  of  Starks; 
thence  on  the  dividing  line  between  Starks  and  [ndustry  to  the  place  of  beginning." 
By  a  careful  comparison  of  these  bounds  with  Lemuel  Perham's  plan  of  the  town,  it 
will   be  seen  that  Mr.  Allen  was  in  error  regarding  the  lots  set  oil    from   Industry. 


INTRODUCTORY.  1 5 

it  will  be  seen  at  the  present  time  (  1892),  that  the  town  con- 
tains about  twenty-one  thousand  acres,  including  water,  there 
being  a  pond  in  the  western  part  of  the  town  containing  fifteen 
hundred  or  two  thousand  acres.* 

The  surface  of  Industry  is  rough  and  uneven,  and  in  some 
parts  hill)'  and  mountainous.  The  soil  consists  of  a  yellowish 
loam  mixed  with  sand  and  gravel,  with  a  subsoil  of  clear  gravel. 
Occasionally,  however,  the  subsoil  is  found  to  be  of  blue  clay, 
or  a  mixture  of  clay  and  gravel.  In  some  places  on  the  shores 
of  Clear  Water  Pond,  the  whitest  and  nicest  sand  for  plastering  is 
found.  This  sand  is  of  such  a  superior  quality  that  builders 
have  come  long  distances  to  procure  it,  and  it  is  claimed  that 
there  is  no  other  deposit  in  Franklin  County  which  imparts 
such  a  beautiful  whiteness  to  plastering  as  this. 

In  many  parts  of  the  town  the  soil  is  quite  stony,  as  is  usu- 
ally the  case  with  upland,  and  the  early  settlers  experienced 
much  difficulty  in  subduing  the  soil  and  rendering  it  suitable  for 
cultivation.  But  when  once  cleared,  the  land  was  found  to  pos- 
sess an  unusual  degree  of  fertility,  and  bountiful  crops  rewarded 
the  farmer's  toil.  Observation  has  shown  that  crops  are  less 
affected  by  severe  drouths  in  this  than  other  towns  where  the 
soil  is  of  a  lighter  and  more  sandy  character.  Some  land  was 
found  to  be  too  wet  and  cold  for  profitable  tillage  when  first 
cleared,  but  was,  nevertheless,  excellent  grass  land. 

The  principal  growth  of  wood  is  beech,  birch  and  maple,  of 
which,  the  last  named  variety  predominates.  Beside  these 
varieties  are  to  be  found,  red  oak,  cedar,  hemlock,  spruce  and 
poplar,  with  scattering  trees  of  other  species.  The  point  of 
land  extending  into  Clear  Water  Pond,  was  originally  covered 
with  a  heavy  growth  of  pine  timber;  but  "it  was  destroyed  by 
fire  at  an  early  date,  prior  to  the  settlement  of  the  town. 

There  is  a  range  of  mountains  in  the  west  part  of  the  town, 
north  of  Clear  Water  Pond,  a  peak  of  which  is  the  highest 
elevation  of  land  within  its  limits.      Boardman   Mountain,!  situ- 

*  Walter  Wells's  "  Water  Power  of  Maine." 

t  This  mountain  was  so  named  in  honor  of  Esquire  Herbert  Boardman,  who 
settled  at  its  base  in  1795. 


1 6  HISTORY    OF    INDUSTRY. 

atcd  in  that  part  of  Industry  ceded  by  New  Vineyard  in  1844, 
was  formerly  regarded  by  the  more  superstitious  and  imagina- 
tive, as  an  extinct  volcano,  as  some  of  the  dwellers  at  its  base 
aver  to  have  heard,  at  times,  mysterious  rumblings  within  its 
rugged  sides.  This  mountain,  with  slight  exceptions,  is  still 
covered  with  woods,  and  from  its  southern  aspect  presents  a 
very  picturesque  view. 

ISannock  Hill,  in  the  southeast  part  of  the  town,  is  a  noted 
eminence.  It  is  said  to  have  received  its  name  from  a  survey- 
ing party  under  Judge  Joseph  North,  who  encamped  near  its 
summit  in  1780,  and  baked  there  a  bannock  for  their  breakfast. 
Whether  this  was  the  source  from  which  it  received  its  christen- 
ing, or  whether  it  received  its  name  from  subsequent  settlers, 
owing  to  its  shape,  which  closely  resembles  that  of  a  huge  old- 
fashioned  loaf  of  its  delectable  namesake,  there  seems  to  be  a 
diversity  of  opinion.  From  the  summit  of  this  hill  a  magnifi- 
cent view  greets  the  eye  of  the  beholder  on  every  side.  Look- 
ing west  the  blue  placid  surface  of  Clear  Water  Pond  is  to  be 
seen  almost  at  your  feet,  with  Backus  Mountain  rising  abruptly 
from  its  western  shore.  While  old  Mount  Blue,  towering  in 
lofty  grandeur,  can  be  plainly  seen  in  the  distance.  North  of 
the  pond  lies  the  chain  of  mountains  which  separates  Industry 
and  New  Vineyard;  and  rising  above  the  top  of  this  range  the 
summit  of  Saddleback,  Abraham  and  Bigelow  mountains  can 
be  seen.  Looking  north,  Boardman  Mountain,  situated  wholly 
in  the  town  of  Industry,  which  forms  an  interesting  feature 
of  the  New  Vineyard  chain,  is  seen  just  at  hand.  To  the  west, 
south  and  east,  one  gets  a  fine  view  of  fertile  fields,  cozy  farm- 
houses, interspersed,  at  frequent  intervals,  by  large  tracts  of  the 
forest  primeval.  Occasionally  one  gets  a  glimpse  ol  Sandy 
River,  winding  its  sinuous  course  to  mingle  its  waters  with  those 
of  the  Kennebec.  The  villages  at  New  Sharon,  Stark  and 
Madison  Bridge,  can  likewise  be  seen.  This  hill,  which  has  an 
altitude  of  1227  feet  above  the  mean  sea  level,  affords  a  more 
commanding  view  of  the  surrounding  country  than  can  be  ob- 
tained from  any  point  within  a  radius  of  twenty  miles.  The 
LJnited   States  Coast  and   Geodetic   Survey,  of  1866,  found  it  a 


INTRODUCTORY.  1/ 

desirable  position  for  a  signal  station,  as  did  also  the   Survey  of 

1891.* 

(  )n  that  portion  of  the  town  set  off  from  Industry  and  an- 
nexed to  Farmington,  is  located  a  beautiful  cascade,  where  the 
water  takes  a  sudden  leap  of  seventy-five  feet  over  a  precipice. 
This  is  counted  one  of  the  most  beautiful  waterfalls  in  the  State. 
From  a  favorable  position,  on  a  sunn}'  da}-,  the  colors  of  the 
rainbow  can  be  seen  amid  its  foamy  spray,  hence  it  has  been 
called  Rainbow  Cascade  by  many.  A  large  number  of  tourists 
visit  this  attractive  locality  each  year,  with  whom  its  popularity 
seems  to  increase  rather  than  to  diminish. 

The  waters  forming  this  Cascade  are  derived  from  a  small 
pond  in  the  west  part  of  Industry,  known,  probably  on  account 
of  its  diminutive  size,  as  "The  Little  Fond."  The  stream  from 
this  pond  flows  in  a  southwesterly  direction,  and  empties  into 
Fairbanks    Stream  in  the  town  of  Farmington. 

Clear  Water  Fond,  in  the  west  part  of  the  town,  is,  as  its 
name  indicates,  a  sheet  of  remarkably  clear  water.  Among  the 
early  settlers  it  was  almost  invariably  known  by  the  name  of 
"Bull-Horse  Fond";  but  the  manner  in  which  this  name  was 
acquired  is  veiled  in  obscurity,  f  Esq.  Win.  Allen,  in  speaking 
of  Judge  North's  surveying  party,  says:  "On  arriving  at  the 
pond  they  watered  their  pack-horses,  and  proposed  the  name  of 
'  Horse  Fond,'  but  put  a  prefix  to  it  and  called  it  '  Bull-Horse 
Fond.'  "  The  writer  recollects  of  hearing,  in  his  boyhood  days, 
some  of  the  older  people  say  that  the  pond  received  its  name 
from  the  circumstance  that  a  bull  and  a  horse  were  accidentally 
drowned  there,  at  an  early  date.  This  statement  can  hardly  be 
regarded  as  worthy  of  credence,  and  those  best  qualified  to 
judge  give  it  but  little  weight.  Perhaps  the  most  reasonable  of 
all  traditions  bearing  on  this  subject,  and  one  fully  as  worthy  of 
credit,  is  that  a    Frenchman   named   Blois    once   resided  on   its 


♦Through  the  courtesy  of  Hon.  T.  C.  Mendenhall,  Superintendent  of  this  Survey, 
we  learn  that  the  geographical  position  of  Bannock  Hill  is:  Latitude  440,  44/,  01.70'', 
Longitude,  70°,  2',  23". 99,  or  4  h.  40  m.  09.6  s.  west  of  Greenwich. 

t  Since  the  above  was  written  it  has  been  discovered  that,  as  early  as  1803 — 
(Petition  Inhabitants  Northern  Part  of  New  Sharon)  —  this  body  of  water  was 
sometimes  designated  as  Clear  Water  Pond. 


l8  HISTORY   OF   WDUSTRY. 

shores,  spending  his  time  in  hunting  and  trapping.  Tt  is 
claimed  that  in  tins  way  the  lakelet  acquired  the  name  of  Blois 
Pond.  The  advocates  of  this  theory  claim  that  Bull-Horse,  or 
"  Hoss,"  as  it  was  almost  invariably  pronounced,  was  but  a  cor- 
ruption of  the  name  Blois.  True,  it  would  require  but  a  small 
amount  of  orthoepical  license  to  effect  this  change, — not  nearly 
as  much  as  is  sometimes  taken  with  other  words  in  the  English 
language.  This  explanation,  to  say  the  least,  has  the  merit  of 
plausibility. 

On  the  map  of  Franklin  County,  published  in  1861,  it  was 
laid  down  as  Clear  Water  Pond,  by  which  name  it  is  now 
generally  known.  Clear  Water  Pond  has  many  interesting 
features.  Its  western  shore  rises  abruptly,  forming  what  is 
known  as  Backus  Mountain,  in  Farmington,  and  near  this  shore 
the  water  is  very  deep.  Several  mills  derive  their  motive 
power  from  this  source,  as  the  pond  furnishes  an  abundant 
supply  of  water  the  year  around.  When  the  fact  that  it 
receives  the  waters  from  only  two  or  three  small  brooks  is 
taken  into  consideration,  and  that  these,  which  are  usually  dry 
a  large  portion  of  the  summer,  at  no  time  supply  a  large 
amount  of  water,  it  is  evident  that  this  pond  is  fed  by  abundant 
springs  beneath  its  surface.  Another  fact  which  goes  to 
establish  the  theory  of  this  spring-supply,  is  the  temperature  : 
the  water  during  the  warmest  weather  being  several  degrees 
colder  than  that  of  similar  bodies  of  water  known  to  receive 
their  supply  from  streams. 

The  principal  farm  crops  of  Industry  are  wheat,  oats,  corn 
and  potatoes.  Rye,  in  large  quantities,  was  raised  by  the  early 
settlers  ;  but  it  has  almost  entirely  disappeared  from  the  list  of 
the  farm  products.  The  apple-tree  seems  to  flourish  well  in 
the  soil  of  Industry,  and  fruit-growing  is  a  branch  of  husbandry 
that  is  steadily  gaining  ground.  Maple  syrup  is  also  made  to 
a  considerable  extent.  The  rock  or  sugar-maple  (Acer  sac- 
charinum)  being  indigenous  to  the  soil,  almost  every  farmer 
has  at  least  a  small  sugar-orchard,  from  which  he  makes  syrup 
for  family  use,  while  others  engage  more  extensively,  making 
from  one  to  three  hundred  gallons  each  season. 


INTRODUCTOR  Y.  19 

The  hills,  with  their  many  springs  of  deliciously  cool  water, 
afford  unequalled  facilities  for  grazing.  This  has  rendered 
sheep-husbandry  a  paying  branch  of  agriculture,  and  prompted 
many  farmers  to  engage  therein.  The  breeding  of  neat  stock 
and  horses  has  also  received  considerable  attention.  The  time 
has  been  when  Industry  was  noted  for  its  many  yoke  of  fine, 
large  oxen,  ranking  in  this  respect  second  to  no  other  town  in 
Franklin  County.  Of  late  years,  horses  have  come  into  more 
general  use  on  the  farm,  hence  the  lively  competition  which 
formerly  existed  in  raising  nice  oxen  has  in  a  large  measure 
subsided. 

The  scenery  of  Industry  is  by  no  means  tame  or  uninterest- 
ing. Its  mountains,  covered  with  shady  woods,  the  commanding 
views  which  their  summits  afford,  the  springs  of  pure  cool 
water,  issuing  from  their  rugged  sides,  are  all  a  source  of  con- 
stant admiration  to  the  summer  visitor.  On  the  mill-stream, 
but  a  short  distance  from  West's  Mills,  is  a  beautiful  cascade," 
which,  with  its  surrounding  forest,  forms,  during  the  summer 
months,  an  interesting  and  attractive  bit  of  scenery.  Then,  too, 
a  body  of  water  like  Clear  Water  Pond  would  furnish  a  constant 
attraction  for  any  summer  resort.  This  is  a  favorite  resort  for 
fishermen  and  excursionists,  and,  during  the  summer  months, 
parties  frequently  come  here  from  adjoining  towns  to  sail  on  its 
clear,  placid  waters,  or  to  hold  picnics  on  its  cool,  shady  banks. 
The  first  attempt  to  make  the  carrying  of  pleasure  parties  on 
Clear  Water  Pond  a  business  was  made  by  Captain  Reuben  B. 
Jennings,  a  gentleman  from  Parmington,  who,  in  the  summer  of 
1868,  put  into  its  waters  a  sail-boat  called  the  "Minnehaha." 
He  likewise  built  a  rude  cabin,  on  the  Backus  Mountain  shore, 
where  he  lived  during  the  season,  and  where  many  parties  landed 
for  the  purpose  of  holding  picnics.  So  far  as  the  writer  has 
been  able  to  learn,  the  season's  work  proved  fairly  remunerative. 
Since  that  time,  excursionists  have  been  dependent  upon  local 
resources  for  boats.  At  the  present  time,  several  very  -nod 
ones  are  owned  by  parties  residing  at  Allen's   Mills.      Probably 


*  This  cascade  was  given  the  name  of  Sunderland  Falls,  in  early  times. 


20  HISTORY    OF   INDUSTRY. 

there  is  not  another  pond  of  equal  size  in  the  State  which 
affords  more  natural  attractions,  and  whose  surroundings  are 
better  adapted  for  a  summer  resort,  than  this.  It  is  situated 
within  an  hour's  drive  of  railroad  connections,  and  a  daily  stage 
brings  the  mail  on  the  arrival  of  the  evening  train.  Let  a  com- 
modious hotel  be  built  at  Allen's  Mills  for  the  accommodation 
of  guests;  let  the  same  pains  be  taken  to  stock  the  waters  of 
this  pond  with  fish,  as  has  already  been  taken  with  Rangeley 
Lake;  and  a  good  supply  of  serviceable  boats  kept  read)-  for 
use  as  occasion  requires,  and  one  of  the  most  attractive  inland 
summer  resorts  in  Maine  would  be  the  result.  Thus  located,  it 
would  draw  numerous  visitors  whose  delicate  health  precludes 
even  the  thoughts  of  a  journey  to  more  remote  and  inaccessi- 
ble points.  With  the  improvements  mentioned,  the  clear  brac- 
ing air,  the  fine  scenery  and  perfect  quiet,  could  but  have  a 
salutary  influence  in  restoring  invalids  to  a  state  of  perfect 
health.  The  place  would  soon  become  popular,  and  eventually 
secure  a  patronage  which  could  not  prove  otherwise  than  re- 
munerative to  those  interested  in  the  enterprise. 

The  principal  varieties  of  fish  found  in  Clear  Water  Pond, 
are:  Lake-trout  (Salmo  confinis) — commonly  called  togue — 
cusk,  chivens,*  suckers  and  perch,  with  innumerable  swarms  oi 
the  smaller  varieties.  Of  the  edible  kinds,  the  first  named  is  the 
most  valuable  and  eagerly  sought.  Probably  the  most  success- 
ful fisherman  in  the  waters  of  this  pond  was  Isaac  Webster, 
who  died,  at  an  advanced  age,  a  few  years  since,  in  Taunton, 
Mass.  He  moved  to  Industry  from  Stark,  and  resided  at 
Allen's  Mills  for  many  years.  Though  a  shoemaker  by  trade, 
he    was   an   ardent   devotee   oC    Izaak  Walton,  and    spent   much 

*  tor  some  years  the  writer  has  been  of  the  opinion  that  this  name  was  of  local 
origin  ami  incorrect.  To  settle  the  matter,  a  specimen,  preserved  in  alcohol,  was  senl 
to  the  U.  S.  Fish  Commissioner,  lion.  Marshall  McDonald,  Washington,  D.  C.  The 
following  letter  was  received  in  reply:  "Dear  Sir:  The  fish  sent  by  you  for  identi- 
fication is  the  round  white  fish,  shad  waiter,  or  'chivy'  /  Coregonsus  quadrilateralis ) 
of  ichthyologists.  It  is  taken  about  this  time  of  the  year  (April  16th)  in  some  of 
the  rivers  and  lakes  of  Maine.  The  species  has  a  vcr\  wide  range,  including  the 
whole  width  of  country  in  your  latitude  and  a  large  [-.art  of  British  America  and 
Alaska." 


INTRODUCTORY.  21 

time  in  luring  the  finny  tribe  with  baited  hook.  Others  may 
have  caught  larger  specimens  than  he,  but  Mr.  Webster  un- 
questionably stands  ahead  of  all  competitors  in  point  of  num- 
ber and  aggregate  weight.  The  largest  trout  ever  caught  by 
him  weighed  seventeen  and  three-fourths  pounds,  with  a  great 
many  weighing  ten  pounds  and  upward.  Among  those  who 
have  captured  large  fish  from  this  pond  are:  John  Daggett, 
31  3-4  pounds;  John  Wesley  Norton,  21  pounds;  Samuel 
RacklifF,  20  1-4  pounds;  James  C.  Luce,  16  pounds;  Luther 
Luce,  Sen.,  21  1-2  pounds;  Reuben  Hatch,  Sen.,  16  pounds; 
Nelson  W.  Fish,  13  lbs.  14  ozs. ;  John  Atwell  Daggett,  22  1-2 
pounds;  John  F.  Daggett,  16  pounds;  Wm.  R.  Daggett, 
161-2  pounds;  Fred  F.  Backus,  153-4  pounds.  In  1833, 
Truman  Luce  caught  a  fine  specimen  weighing  ten  pounds,  and 
in  1857,  Daniel  Sanders  Collins,  one  weighing  16  pounds.  In 
July,  1890,  Harry  Pierce  of  Farmington,  and  John  Richards  of 
Boston,  each  caught  a  trout,  weighing  10  1-4  and  1 1  1-2  respec- 
tively. Chas.  F.  Oliver,  West's  Mills,  caught  a  large  specimen, 
in  the  summer  of  1885,  which  weighed  13  pounds;  and  in  the 
spring  of  1 891,  John  L.  Sterry,  Stark,  while  fishing  through 
the  ice,  caught  two  trout  weighing  II  and  12  pounds.  But  the 
greatest  catch  of  late  years,  was  made  by  George  W.  Dobbins, 
of  Boston,  in  March,  1889,  when  he  landed  two  splendid  trout, 
weighing  16  and  20  pounds.  Five  were  caught  the  next  year, 
each  weighing  ten  pounds  or  more,  beside  a  large  number  of 
smaller  ones.* 

Some  effort  has  been  made  to  stock  Clear  Water  Pond  with 
black  bass  and  salmon,  in  the  past  decade,  but  the  results  have 
not  been  wholly  satisfactory.  Herbert  B.  Luce,  of  Allen's 
Mills,  after  a  protracted  correspondence  with  State  Fish  Com- 
missioner, Henry  O.  Stanley,  of  Dixfield,  induced  that  gentle- 
man to  visit  Industry,  in  the  summer  of  1883,  to  consider  the 
feasibility  of  stocking  this    pond  with    black   bass.      Being  well 


*  Since  the  foregoing  was  put  in  type,  the  writer  learns  that  Chas.  Augustus 
Allen,  of  Farmington,  while  a  resident  of  his  native  town,  Industry,  caught  a  trout 
frum  Clear  Water  Pond  which,  by  actual  weight,  tipped  the  beam  at  16  3-4  pounds; 
and  afterward,  another  of  equal  weight. 


22  HISTORY    OF   INDUSTRY. 

pleased  with  the  natural  facilities  it  afforded,  he  forwarded  to 
Mr.  Luce,  twenty-five  small  bass  (Grystes  nigricans,  Agassiz), 
taken  from  a  pond  in  Wilton,  Me.  These  measured  from  five 
to  ten  inches  in  length,  and  were  put  into  Clear  Water  Pond  in 
the  month  of  September.  Since  then  specimens  have  been 
caught,  occasionally ;  but  for  the  most  part,  have  been  returned 
to  the  water,  and  it  is  believed  that  in  the  course  of  a  few 
years  the  pond  will   be  well  stocked  with  this  valuable  fish.* 

It  was  not  known  for  some  years  after  the  settlement  of  the 
town,  that  there  were  suckers  in  Clear  W7ater  Pond.  The  story 
of  their  discovery  is  as  follows:  Joseph  Collins,  Sr.,  then  a 
mere  boy,  one  day  went  down  to  the  pond  in  company  with  a 
man  named  Otis  Foster,  to  strip  elm  bark,  which  was  much 
used  in  those  early  times  to  scare  crows  away  from  the  corn- 
field. In  the  course  of  their  rambles  they  came  to  the  brook 
and  found  it  full  of  fish.  Not  knowing  what  they  were,  young 
Collins  went  home  and  called  his  father,  who,  being  an  old 
sailor,  was  the  authority  of  the  settlement  in  all  such  matters. 
Air.  Collins,  after  catching  and  examining  one,  pronounced 
them  suckers.  Since  that  time  a  great  many  have  been  caught 
each  spring. 

The  first  cusk  ever  taken  from  this  pond,  was  caught  by  one 
of  Josiah  Butler's  sons,  about  1828,  or  perhaps  later.  This  fish 
was  also  carried  to  Mr.  Collins  to  be  named. 

Chivens  were  not  known  to  exist  in  the  pond  till  about 
1835.  As  they  are  a  fish  which  can  be  caught  only  through 
the  ice,  in  shoal  water,  their  discovery  was  the  result  of  the 
merest  accident.  At  the  mouth  of  the  sucker  brook,  the  bank 
of  the  pond  makes  off  very  suddenly  from  shoal  to  deep  water. 
Several  sons  of  David  M.  Luce  were  in  the  habit  of  fishing 
for  pond  trout,  in  the  deep  water  just  off  the  mouth  of  this 
brook.  By  a  miscalculation,  the}'  one  day  cut  their  fishing 
holes  in  the  ice  too  near  the  .shore,  and  while  angling  through 
those    holes,   noticed    numerous    fish    of   an    unknown    species 

*  Since  the  above  was  written,  black  l>ass  have  been  caught  in  large  numbers, 
some  specimens  being  of  good  size.  Among  the  largest  taken,  was  one  caught  by 
John  Vehue,  in  1889,  weighing  six  and  one-fourth  pounds. 


INTROD  UCTOR  i '.  2  3 

gathering  about  their  bait.  As  they  could  not  be  induced  to 
take  a  baited  hook,  a  method  was  devised  by  which  they  were 
easily  captured.  A  gaff  was  made,  by  tying"  a  large  hook  to  a 
slender  pole,  and  while  one  would  troll  a  large  piece  of  pork  in 
the  water,  another  would  watch  with  his  gaff  and  dextrously 
hook  any  fish  which  came  near  the  bait.  Even  Daniel  Collins 
did  not  know  the  name  of  these  fish,  and  they  were  for  a  time 
called  dun-fish,  etc.,  etc. 

In  June,  1886,  while  Fish  Commissioner  Henry  O.  Stanley 
was  at  Weld,  Me.,  looking  after  the  land-locked  salmon  there, 
it  was  suggested  to  him  that  Clear  Water  Pond,  in  Industry, 
possessed  superior  advantages  for  breeding  and  rearing  salmon. 
Mr.  Stanley,  knowing  something  of  its  characteristics,  at  once 
agreed  to  put  in  a  certain  number  of  young  salmon,  providing 
some  one  would  bear  a  portion  of  the  necessary  expenses. 
This  Mr.  D.  W.  Austin,  of  Farmington,  volunteered  to  do,  and 
under  his  immediate  supervision,  on  the  1 7th  of  June,  5,000 
young  salmon  were  placed  in  the  cool,  limpid  waters  of  this  pond. 
Many  argued  that  the  black  bass  was  an  inveterate  enemy  of 
the  salmon,  and  that  it  was  absolutely  impossible  to  breed 
them  successfully  in  waters  infested  by  the  bass.  Perhaps  time 
may  prove  these  views  to  have  been  erroneous  ;  but  after  the 
lapse  of  nearly  six  years,  the  result  of  Messrs.  Stanley  and 
Austin's  experiment  is  still  shrouded   in  doubt. 


CHAPTER  II. 
LAND  TITLES. 

Early  Attempts  to  Colonize  New  England.— King  James's  Grant.— The    Kennebec 
Purchase. —  The  Appraising  Commission,  Etc.,  Etc. 

After  the  failure  of  Capt.  John  Smith  to  establish  a 
colony  in  New  England,  in  1618,  Sir  Ferdinando  Gorges  turned 
his  undivided  attention  to  the  formation  of  a  new  company,  dis- 
tinct from  that  of  the  Virginia  company,  whose  exclusive  atten- 
tion should  be  devoted  to  the  colonization  of  New  England. 
A  liberal  charter  was  granted  to  this  company,  by  the  sole 
authority  of  the  King,  constituting  them  a  corporation  with 
perpetual  succession,  by  the  name  of  "The  Council  established 
at  Plymouth  in  the  county  of  Devon,  for  the  planting,  ruling, 
ordering  and  governing  of  New  England  in  America."  The 
original  grant  reads  as  follows,  to  wit. : 

"TO     ALL     TO     WHOM     THESE      PRESENTS     SHALL     COME,      Greeting:  — 

Whereas  his  Majesty  King  James  the  fust,  for  the  advancement  of  a 
Colony  and  Plantation  in  New  England,  in  America,  by  his  Highness' 
betters  Patent,  under  the  great  seal  of  England,  hearing  date,  at  West- 
minster, the  third  day  of  November,  [1620],  in  the  eighteenth  year  of 
his  Highness'  reign  of  England,  etc.,  did  grant  unto  the  right  Honora- 
ble Lodowick,  late  Lord  Duke  of  Lenox,  George,  late  Marquis  of 
Rockingham,  fames.  Marquis  of  Hamilton,  Thomas,  Earl  of  Arundle, 
Robert,  Earl  of  Warwick,  Sir  Ferdinando  Gorges,  Viscount,  and  divers 
others,  whose  names  are  expressed  in  the  said  Letters  Patent,  and  their 
successors,  that  they  should  he  one  body  politic  and  corporate,  per- 
petually, consisting  of  forty  persons,  that  they  should  have  perpetual 
succession  and  one  common  seal  to  serve  for  the  said  body  ;  and  that 
they  and  their  successors  should  be  incorporated,  called  and  known  by 


LAND    TITLES.  2$ 

the  name  of  the  Council  established  at  Plymouth,  in  the  county  of 
Devon,  for  the  planting,  ruling,  ordering  and  governing  New  England 
in  America.  And  further  did  also  grant  unto  the  said  Vice-President 
and  Council,  and  their  successors  forever,  under  the  reservations  in  the 
said  Letters  Patent  expressed,  all  that  part  and  portion  of  the  said 
country  called  New  England  in  America,  situate,  lying  and  being  in 
breadth  from  forty  degrees  of  northerly  latitude,  from  the  equinoctial 
line,  to  forty-eight  degrees  of  the  said  northerly  latitude,  inclusively,  and 
in  length  of,  and  in  all  the  breadth  aforesaid,  throughout  the  main  lands, 
from  sea  to  sea,  together,  also,  with  all  the  firm  lands,  soils,  grounds, 
creeks,  inlets,  havens,  ports,  seas,  rivers,  islands,  waters,  fishings,  mines, 
minerals,  precious  stones,  quarries,  and  all  and  singular  the  commodities 
and  jurisdictions,  both  within  the  said  tract  of  land  lying  upon  the 
main,  as  also  within  the  said  islands  adjoining.  To  have,  hold,  possess 
and  enjoy  the  same  unto  the  said  Council  and  their  successors  and 
assigns  forever,  &c." 

This  grant  extended  from  New  Jersey  northward  to  the 
mouth  of  the  St.  Lawrence  River,  and  nearly  half  of  it  was 
comprised  in  a  former  grant  to  the  Virginia  Company.  Objec- 
tions were  made  to  it,  at  the  outset,  from  that  quarter.  Not 
succeeding  with  the  King  and  the  Privy  Council,  the  complain- 
ants carried  the  matter  before  the  House  of  Commons,  and 
Gorges  appeared  three  several  times  at  the  bar  of  the  House  to 
answer  objections.  On  the  last  occasion,  he  was  attended  by 
eminent  legal  counsel.  The  result  was  unfavorable,  and  the 
House,  in  presenting  to  the  King  the  public  grievances  of  the 
kingdom,  included  amongst  them  the  patent  of  New  England. 
The  effect  of  this  movement  was  at  first  prejudicial  to  the  Com- 
pany, for  it  was  the  means  of  discouraging  those  who  proposed 
to  establish  plantations  in  this  quarter,  as  well  as  some  of  the 
Council.  But  James  was  not  inclined  to  have  the  propriety  of 
his  own  acts  disputed,  or  denied  on  the  floor  of  Parliament. 
So,  instead  of  destroying  the  patent,  as  he  had  intended  to  do, 
he  dismissed  the  Parliament  and  committed  to  the  Tower  and 
other  prisons,  the  members  who  had  been  most  forward  in 
condemning  the  charter  and  most  free  in  questioning  the 
prerogative  of  the  Crown. 

Dr.  Belknap  well  remarks,  that  "  either  from  the  jarring   in- 


26  HISTORY  (>/■'  INDUSTRY. 

terests  of  the  members,  or  their  indistinct  knowledge  of  the 
country,  or  their  inattention  to  business,  or  some  other  cause 
which  does  not  fully  appear,  their  affairs  were  transacted  in  a 
confused  manner  from  the  beginning;  and  the  grants  which 
they  made  were  so  inaccurately  described,  and  interfered  so 
much  with  each  other,  as  to  occasion  controversies,  some  of 
which  are  not  yet  ended."  Xo  part  of  New  England  has 
suffered  more  from  this  cause  than  Maine,  even  as  at  last  to  a 
complete  denial  of  the  title  of  its  proprietary  by  a  neighboring 
colony. 

The  first  grant  by  the  Council  that  included  the  lands  of 
Industry,  seems  to  have  been  the  patent  of  Laconia,  to  Sir 
Ferdinando  Gorges  and  Capt.  John  Mason,  in  1622.  This 
comprised  "  all  lands  situated  between  the  rivers  Merrimack  and 
Sagadahock,*  extending  back  to  the  great  lakes  and  the  river 
of  Canada."  Both  patentees  acted  under  this  patent,  although 
man}-  subsequent  grants  of  the  Council  were  made  within  the 
same  limits.  After  seven  years  joint  title,  Capt.  Mason, 
Nov.  7,  1629,  took  out  a  separate  patent  of  that  portion  lying 
south  and  west  of  the  Piscataqua  River,  to  which  he  gave  the 
name  of  New  Hampshire.  The  remaining  portion  became  the 
exclusive  property  of  Gorges,  who,  however,  had  no  separate 
title  until  1635,  when  he  gave  the  territory  between  the  Piscata- 
qua and  the  Kennebec,  the  name  of  NEW  SOMERSETSHIRE. 

The  next  event  of  general  interest  in  the  history  of  the 
State,  was  the  confirmation  of  the  patent  from  the  Council  of 
Plymouth  to  Gorges,  by  a  new  charter  from  the  Crown,  in  1639, 
in  which  the  territory  is  first  styled  the  Province  of  Maine. 

After  the  death  of  Sir  Ferdinando  Gorges,  the  Province  of 
Maine  fell,  by  heirship,  to  Ferdinando  Gorges,  Esq.,  son  of 
John  Gorges,  and  grandson  of  the  old  lord  proprietor.  In 
1678,  Mr.  Gorges  sold  and   conveyed  by  his    deed  of  the  date 

*  When  the  territory,  now  the  State  of  Maine,  was  first  known  to  the  white  peo- 
ple, the  Kennebec  River  bore  four  different  names.  From  its  mouth  to  Merrymeeting 
Bay  it  was  called  Sagadahock ;  from  that  bay  to  Skowhegan  it  bore  the  name  of 
the  Indian  Chief  Canabais,  afterwards  changed  to  Kennebec;  from  Skowhegan  Falls 
to  Norridgewock  Falls  at  Madison,  it  was  called  Nansantsouak,  afterwards  called 
Norridgewock;    the  rest  of  the  river  to  its  source  was  called  Orantsoak. 


LAND    TITLES.  2/ 

of  March  13th,  to  "John  Usher,  of  Boston  in  New  England  in 
America,  merchant,"  all  the  lands  comprising  the  Province  or 
County  of  Maine,  for  £1250,  or  about  six  thousand  dollars. 
Two  days  thereafter,  Mr.  Usher  conveyed  his  purchase  to  the 
Massachusetts  Bay  Company. 

After  William  and  Mary  ascended  the  throne  of  England, 
a  new  charter  was  received,  uniting  in  one  province  the  colonies 
of  Plymouth  and  Massachusetts  Bay,  the  Province  of  Maine 
and  the  territory  east  of  it  to  the  St.  Croix  River. 

In  1661,  the  Colony  of  New  Plymouth  sold  and  conveyed 
a  tract  of  land  fifteen  miles  wide  on  each  side  of  the  Kennebec 
River  and  thirty  miles  in  length  from  north  to  south,  to  Antipas 
Boies,  Edward  Tyng,  Thomas  Brattle  and  John  Winslow,  for 
£400,  or  "at  a  cost,"  as  Wm.  Allen  states,  "  of  about  four  cents 
and  three  mills  per  acre."  These  persons  and  their  heirs  held 
it  for  nearly  a  century  without  taking  efficient  means  for  its 
settlement.  In  1749,  however,  they  began  to  think  of  settling 
their  lands,  and  in  September  of  that  year,  a  meeting  of  the 
proprietors  was  called,  and  new  members  were  admitted.  Four 
years  later,  Massachusetts  passed  an  act  permitting  persons 
holding  lands  in  common  and  undivided,  to  act  as  a  corporation. 
In  June,  1753,  under  this  act,  a  corporation  was  formed  by  the 
name  of  the  "  Proprietors  of  the  Kennebec  Purchase,  from  the 
late  colony  of  New  Plymouth,"  which  continued  to  be  their 
legal  title,  though  they  are  commonly  known  by  the  name  of 
the  Plymouth  Company,  and  their  lands  as  the  Plymouth  Patent. 
At  the  time  of  this  incorporation,  their  claims  were  very  ex- 
tensive, much  exceeding  the  bounds  already  mentioned, — in 
fact,  extending  from  Casco  Bay  eastward  to  Pemaquid,  and 
north  from  the  sea-coast  to  Carratunk  Falls.  Four  adjoining 
companies  claimed,  however,  large  portions  of  this  territory; 
whose  claims,  after  tedious  litigation,  were  finally  settled,  either 
by  compromise  or  reference. 

The  early  explorers  of  Sand)'  River  valley,  supposing  the 
land  where  they  had  decided  to  make  clearings  and  establish 
their  future  homes,  which  was  subsequently  incorporated  as 
the  town  of  Farmington,  belonged  to  the  Plymouth   Patent,  en- 


28  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

tered  into  negotiations  with  the  proprietors  for  the  purpose  of 
obtaining  a  title  to  the  land.  Judge  Joseph  North  was  em- 
ployed to  survey  the  township,  in  the  spring  of  1780,  agreeable 
to  these  pending  negotiations.  The  first  duty  of  the  surveyor 
was  to  establish  the  northwest  corner  of  the  Plymouth  Patent, 
which,  according  to  the  proprietors'  claims,  would  likewise 
fix  the  northwest  corner  of  the  township.  This  corner  he  made 
on  a  basswood  tree  marked  "  K.  15  M." — to  denote  that  it  was 
fifteen  miles  from  the  Kennebec  River.* 

Nine  years  later,  after  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  War, 
by  a  different  construction  of  the  grant,  and  by  an  agreement 
with  the  agents  of  the  Commonwealth,  dated  June  26,  1789, 
Ephraim  Ballard, f  a  surveyor  agreed  upon  for  the  purpose, 
made  the  northwest  corner  of  the  patent  eighty  rods  east  of 
the  northeast  corner  of  Farmington.  The  boundary  of  the 
Plymouth  claim  thus  being  established  near  the  western  shore 
of  what  is  now  called  Clear  Water  Pond.  After  the  establish- 
ment of  the  northwest  corner  of  the  Plymouth  Patent,  in  1789, 
the  Company  obtained  a  grant  from  the  Commonwealth  of 
Massachusetts,  of  a  strip  of  land  one  mile  and  a  half  wide  and 
thirty  miles  long,  on  their  northern  boundary,  to  compensate 
them  for  lands  given  to  settlers.  This  new  acquisition  extended 
the  northern  limits  of  their  possessions  in  Industry  to  the  south 
line  of  the  township  of  New  Vineyard,  as  given  in  ( )sgood 
Carleton's  Map  of  Maine,  published  about  1795. 

The  meetings  of  the  Company  continued  regularly,  with 
the  exception  of  the  first  year  of  the  Revolutionary  War,  from 
1749  till  it  finally  sold  the  remnants  of  its  possessions,  at  pub- 
lic auction,  in  18 16,  and  dissolved  by  mutual  consent. 


*  Butler's  History  of  Farmington,  p.  24.  Allen  says  {  History  of  Industry,  p.  j  ) 
that  the  corner  was  marked  "  on  a  small  beech  tree."  Mr.  Butler  quotes  from  the 
original  plan  of  the  survey,  hence,  his  statement  is  to  be  accepted  as  indubitable  testi- 
mony. Mr.  Allen  undoubtedly  confounded  this  landmark  with  the  small  beech  tree 
on  the  New  Vineyard  Core  which  marked  central  corners  of  the  four  quarter  sections. 

f  Esquire  William  Allen  states  (  History  of  Industry,  p.  3)  that  this  boundary 
was  established  by  Samuel  Titcomb,  a  noted  surveyor;  but  by  the  evidence  adduced 
in  the  action  Winthrop  vs.  Curtis  ( Greenleaf 's  3  Me.  Reports,  p.  112)  it  was  shown 
to  be  Mr.  Ballard,  as  slated  above. 


LAND    TITLES.  29 

The  lands  of  the  Company  were  not  surveyed  and  offered 
for  sale  as  the  advancement  of  the  country  demanded.  At  the 
close  of  the  Revolutionary  War,  great  numbers  of  the  dis- 
banded soldiers,  unlike  those  of  Europe — the  pest  and  scourge 
of  society — came  into  the  District  of  Maine  to  seek  a  per- 
manent home,  and  became  industrious  husbandmen.  The 
Company  having  formerly  taken  such  pains  to  extend  the  in- 
formation of  their  liberal  offers  of  land  to  actual  settlers,  many 
came  on  to  the  patent  and  selected  for  their  abode  such  lots  as 
suited  them,  without  inquiring  whether  these  were  designed  for 
settlers  or  had  been  assigned  to  individual  proprietors,  or  were 
yet  among  the  unsurveyed  lands  of  the  proprietary;  and  in 
1799,  it  was  found  that  large  portions  of  the  unlocated  lands 
of  the  Plymouth  Patent  were  taken  up  by  persons  who  had 
intruded  themselves  without  permission.  "If,"  says  R.  H.  Gar- 
diner, "the  Company  had,  even  at  this  late  hour,  resumed  their 
former  policy  and  given  to  the  settlers  half  of  the  land,  if  so 
much  had  been  required,  for  each  to  have  one  hundred  acres, 
or  if  they  had  offered  to  sell  at  very  low  prices  to  actual  set- 
tlers, there  can  be  little  doubt  that  the  remaining  portions  would 
have  been  of  more  value  than  the  whole  proved  to  be  ;  but  what 
is  of  infinitely  more  importance  than  pecuniary  value,  peace 
and  quietness  would  have  been  at  once  established,  and  the 
subsequent  scenes  of  violence  avoided." 

The  Company  also  found  themselves  deprived  of  disposing 
of  their  lands  by  dividing  them  among  the  proprietors ;  for 
division  presupposes  surveys  and  allotment,  and  the  settlers 
would  not  allow  surveys  unless  they  could  previously  know 
what  would  be  the  price  of  their  lands.  After  trying  various 
expedients  in  their  endeavors  to  gain  possession  of  their  lands, 
without  success,  the  Company  petitioned  the  General  Court,  in 
1802,  to  authorize  the  Governor  and  Council  to  appoint  com- 
missioners, "who  should  determine  the  terms  upon  which  the 
Company  should  quiet  each  of  the  settlers  in  possession  of 
certain  portions  of  land  as  may  include  their  improvements,  in 
such  a  manner  and   on   such   terms  as   the   Commissioners  may 


30  HISTORY   OF   INDUSTRY. 

think   best."     The   following   resolve  was   passed,  in  conformity 
with  the  prayer  of  these  petitioners : 

On  the  petition  of  Arodi  Thayer,  in  behalf  of  the  proprietors  of  the 
Kennebec  Purchase,  authorizing  the  company  to  quiet  the  settlers  on 
said  lauds,  and  empowering  the  Governor,  with  advice  of  the 
Council,  to  appoint  Commissioners  to  adjust  and  settle  all  dis- 
putes between  said  proprietors  and  the  settlers  on  said  lands. 
February   19,  1802. 

On  the  petition  of  Arodi  Thayer,  in  behalf  of  the  proprietors  of  the 
Kennebec  Purchase,  from  the  late  colony  of  New  Plymouth,  praying  for 
leave  to  sell  and  dispose  of  certain  of  their  lands  for  the  quieting  of 
settlers  ;  and  for  the  establishing  commissioners  to  quiet  all  such  settlers 
as  shall  agree  to  submit  themselves  to  their  authority,  and  to  fix  and 
determine  on  the  terms  upon  which  they  shall  be  so  quieted  :  And  the 
legislature  being  desirous  to  promote  the  laudable  and  liberal  applica- 
tion of  the  Plymouth  Company,  to  bring  to  a  peaceable  and  final  clo§e, 
all  matters  not  adjusted  by  its  agent  with  the  settlers  on  the  undivided 
lands,  by  a  submission  of  the  same  to  three  disinterested  commissioners  : 
Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  proprietors  of  the  common  and  undivided 
lands  belonging  to  the  Plymouth  Company,  so  called,  be.  and  they  here- 
by are  authorized  and  empowered,  by  their  agent  or  agents,  duly  ap- 
pointed and  authorized  for  that  purpose,  at  any  legal  meeting  of  said 
proprietors,  to  compromise  and  settle  with  such  persons,  or  each  or  any 
of  them,  who  may  have  entered  upon  any  of  said  lands,  and  made  im- 
provements thereon  ;  and  by  deed  under  the  hand  and  seals  of  such 
agents,  sell  and  convey  to  such  person  or  persons,  any  portion  or  por- 
tions of  said  lands  which  they  may  think  best,  and  on  such  terms  as  the 
parties  may  agree  ;  and  after  payment  of  all  such  taxes  and  charges  as 
may  be  due  from  any  proprietor,  to  divide  «ml  pay  over  to  every  pro- 
prietor his  share  of  the  residue  of  the  money  arising  from  such  settle- 
ment and  sale,  according  to  his  proportion  of  lands  :  And  all  such 
sales  shall  be  as  valid  in  law  as  if  the  deed  thereof  had  been  executed 
by  every  individual   proprietor,  or  his  or  her  legal  representative  : 

And  whereas  it  is  conceived.  That  a  final  compromise  and  settle- 
ment of  the  claims  of  the  said  proprietors,  with  such  persons  as  have 
intruded  upon  such  common  and  undivided  lands,  will  have  a  tendency 
to  promote  the  peace  ami  quiet  of  that  part  of  the  State  ;  and  the  said 
proprietors  having,  on  their  part,  assured  the  Commonwealth,  that  they 


LAND   TITLES.  31 

are  willing  to  submit  the  terms  of  compromise  with  such  persons  as 
have  set  down  on  their  said  lands,  and  shall  not  have  settled  with  said 
Company  or  their  agent,  to  such  commissioners  as  shall  be  appointed 
under  the  authority  of  this  government  :     Therefore, 

It  is  further  resolved,  That  the  Governor  with  the  consent  of  the 
Council,  be,  and  he  hereby  is  authorized  and  requested  to  nominate 
and  commission  three  disinterested  persons  to  adjust  and  settle  all  dis- 
putes between  said  proprietors  and  any  such  person  or  persons,  their 
heirs  or  assigns,  as  have  not  settled  with  said  proprietors  or  their  agents  : 
And  the  said  commissioners,  in  settling  the  terms  aforesaid  for  quieting 
any  settler  in  the  possession  of  one  hundred  acres  of  land,  laid  out  so 
as  to  include  his  improvements,  and  be  least  injurious  to  adjoining 
lands,  shall  have  reference  to  three  descriptions  of  settlers,  viz  :  Those 
settled  before  the  war  with  Great-Britain,  settlers  during  the  war  afore- 
said, and  settlers  since  that  period,  or  to  any  person  whose  possession 
has  been  transferred  to  claimants  now  in  possession  ;  and  award  such 
compensation  and  terms  of  payment  to  the  proprietors  as  shall  appear 
just  and  equitable.  And  said  commissioners  shall  repair  to  the  land  in 
dispute,  and  give  due  notice  of  the  time  of  their  meeting  by  the  twen- 
tieth day  of  September  next ;  and  thereupon  proceed  and  complete 
the  purposes  of  their  commission  as  soon  as  may  be,  and  make  their 
report  in  writing,  under  their  hands  and  seals,  or  under  the  hands  and 
seals  of  a  major  part  of  them,  into  the  office  of  the  Secretary  of  this 
Commonwealth,  who  shall  make  out  true  and  attested  copies  of  the 
report,  one  for  the  said  proprietors,  and  the  other  for  the  said  settlers  : 
And  all  reference  by  the  settlers  to  the  said  commissioners  shall  be  in 
writing,  signed  by  the  settlers,  their  agent  or  agents,  representative  or 
attorney,  and  by  the  agent  of  the  proprietors,  duly  appointed  and 
authorized  for  the  purpose  by  a  vote  passed  at  a  legal  meeting  of  the 
said  proprietors  ;  and  the  report  of  the  said  commissioners,  made,  exe- 
cuted and  transmitted  into  the  Secretary's  office  aforesaid,  shall  be 
final  between  the  parties  referring  as  aforesaid  :  And  it  shall  be  the 
duty  of  the  agent  for  said  proprietors  to  make  and  execute  such  deeds 
of  conveyance  upon  performance  of  the  conditions  awarded,  as  may  be 
necessary  to  give  full  effect  to  the  report  of  said  commissioners,  which 
deed  shall  be  as  valid  in  law,  as  if  the  same  was  executed  by  every  indi- 
vidual proprietor,  or  his  agent,  or  legal  representative,  and  all  moneys 
received  by  said  proprietors,  or  their  agent,  in  virtue  of  said  proceed- 
ings, shall  be  disposed  of  to  the  use  of  the  several  proprietors,  in  the 
same  manner  as  is  provided  by  this  resolve  in  case  of  settlement  by 
said  proprietors,  without  submission  to  said  commissioners  : 


32  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

Provided,  That  the  parties  interested  in  this  resolve  shall,  on  or 
before  the  rst  day  of  November  next,  submit  themselves  to  the  refer- 
ence aforesaid,  otherwise  they  shall  not  he  entitled  to  any  of  the  pro- 
vision, or  benefit  of  this  resolve. 

And  whereas  the  peace,  happiness  and  prosperity  of  a  large  and 
promising  territory  seems  greatly  to  depend  on  an  amicable  settlement 
of  existing  controversies  and  disputes,  which  tend  to  public  discord  and 
private  animosity,  a  submission  to  the  commissioners  to  be  appointed 
as  aforesaid  is  earnestly  recommended  to  all  settlers  on  the  lands  afore- 
said, and  all  others  interested,  who  wish  hereafter  to  be  considered  as 
friends  to  peace,  good  order  and  the  government  of  the  Commonwealth. 
And  all  expenses  and  incidental  charges  of  the  aforesaid  commission 
shall  be  paid,  one  half  by  the  Commonwealth,  and  the  other  half  by  the 
said   proprietors. 

The  Commissioners  appointed  were,  Hon.  Peleg  Coffin, 
State  Treasurer,  and  a  descendant  of  Sir  Thomas  Coffin,  the 
original  proprietor  of  the  Island  of  Nantucket,  whose  descend- 
ants down  to  the  time  of  the  Revolutionary  War  exacted  quit 
rents  of  all  purchasers  of  real  estate,  out  of  the  family  line,  of 
one  hundred  pounds  of  beef  or  pork  or  its  equivalent,  annually', 
with  high  aristocratic  notions,  was  appointed  chairman  ;  with 
Hon.  Elijah  Bridgham,  a  Justice  of  the  Court  of  Common 
Pleas,  and  Col.  Thomas  Dwight,  of  Northampton,  as  associates. 
Although  a  recent  writer  claims  that  these  men  possessed  the 
entire  confidence  of  the  public,  yet  Esquire  William  Allen  says 
of  them,  "The  selection  of  these  Commissioners  was  very  un- 
fortunate for  the  settlers  ;  they  were  all  old-school  Puritans  of 
strict,  unbending  integrity  of  the  patrician  grade,  with  inflexible 
opinions  as  to  the  rights  of  freeholders,  with  no  sympathy  for 
trespassers  or  squatters  as  the  settlers  were  called.  They  had 
no  personal  knowledge  of  the  nature  of  the  soil  they  were  to 
appraise,  and  bad  no  conception  of  the  hardships  and  priva- 
tions of  the  settlers  by  whose  bard  labor  not  only  the  lands 
they  occupied,  but  all  in  the  vicinity  bad  been  made  available 
and  accessible  by  improvements  and  roads  ;  nor  of  the  impos- 
sibility of  raising  money  from  the  produce  of  the  soil  or  from 
their  labor,  to  pay  the  prices  demanded  by  the  proprietors." 


LAND    TITLES.  33 

Many  settlers,  who  had  served  their  country  faithfully  dur- 
ing the  Revolutionary  War  and  had  been  turned  off  without  the 
least  compensation  for  their  services,  were  forced,  from  actual 
necessity,  to  take  possession  of  wild  land,  wherever  they  could 
find  it  unoccupied,  in  order  to  save  themselves  and  families 
from  starvation.  This  they  were  invited  and  allowed  to  do  on 
wild  lands  belonging  to  the  State.  Some  of  the  Proprietors  of 
the  Plymouth  Patent  were  Englishmen;  others  were  English 
sympathizers  who  had  fled  from  the  country,  on  the  breaking 
out  of  the  War,  and  had  in  a  moral  and  equitable  sense  forfeited 
their  estates  by  disloyalty  to  their  country.  Thus  the  early 
settlers  in  Industry  believed,  but  the  Courts  thought  differently. 
Others  maintained  that  a  title  to  their  lots  could  be  gained  by 
possession,  or  at  least  for  a  small  additional  stipend. 

The  Commission  was  required  to  repair  to  Maine  and  ex- 
amine the  lands  claimed  by  the  Company,  allow  the  settlers  a 
hearing,  and  then  state  the  terms  and  fix  the  price  to  be  paid 
by  each  person  who  had  been  in  possession  of  the  land  one 
year  or  more,  for  the  lot  on  which  he  was  located.  As  a 
necessary  preliminary  measure,  Lemuel  Perham,  Jr.,  of  Earm- 
ington,  was  employed,  in  September,  1802,  to  make  a  survey 
of  the  lands  in  Industry. 

This  survey  was  made  under  the  supervision  of  the  Com- 
pany's agent,  Isaac  Pillsbury,  of  Hallowell,  and  by  mutual 
agreement  of  the  parties,  Samuel  Prescott,  Esq.,  and  Major 
Erancis  Mayhew,  of  New  Sharon,  were  selected  as  chainmen. 
The  surveyor  was  directed  to  run  out  a  lot  for  each  settler,  to 
include  all  his  improvements,  with  as  little  damage  as  possible 
to  the  adjoining  lands.  Under  these  directions,  lots  were  laid 
out  and  numbered  from  one  to  seventy;*  the  survey  com- 
mencing at  Thompson's  corner  and  embracing  a  large  portion 
of  Company's  land,  afterwards  incorporated  as  the  town  of  In- 
dustry, and  extended  north  to  the  Mile-and-a-half  or  Lowell  Strip. 
In  October,  after  the  completion  of  the  survey,  the  Commission 


*  Report  of  the  Appraising  Commission.  Wra.  Allen  says  (Hist,  of  Industry,  p. 
37 )  :  "  He  [Mr.  Perham]  thus  proceeded  from  day  to  day  till  he  had  laid  out  a  lot 
for  each  settler,  numbering  them  from  one  to  sixty-four." 


34  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

came  to  Augusta,  and  established  themselves  at  Thomas's  Tav- 
ern, on  the  east  side  of  the  Kennebec  River, — giving  notice  to 
all  persons  interested,  to  appear  and  submit  their  cases  to  be 
heard.  When,  without  seeing  a  single  lot  to  be  appraised,  as 
appraisers  on  executions  are  required  to  do,  they  affixed  a  price 
ranging  from  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  to  two  hundred  and 
twenty-five  dollars  for  a  lot  of  one  hundred  acres.  This  sum, 
with  back  interest,  the  settlers  were  required  to  pay  in  Boston, 
within  a  specified  time,  in  specie  or  Boston  bank  bills. 

As  few  of  the  settlers  had  ready  funds  sufficient  to  pay  the 
expenses  of  a  journey  to  Augusta  to  present  their  claims  in 
person,  Capt.  William  Allen  and  Nahum  Baldwin  were  em- 
ployed by  the  settlers,  as  their  lawful  agents  and  attorneys.  In 
compliance  with  this  arrangement  the  following  document  was 
signed  and  executed : 

Submission  of  Settlers  on   Plymouth  Co.'s  Land.     Records  of  the 
Commonwealth,  Vol.  3,  page — .     (In  connection  with  Plans.) 

Know  all  men  by  these  presents,  That  We,  the  Inhabitants  and 
Settlers  in  the  Plantation  of  Industry,  in  the  County  of  Kennebec,  and 
Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts,  viz  :  (Here  follows  a  list  of  the 
names  which  appear  below  as  signers,  but  not  in  the  same  order. )  Do 
by  these  presents  constitute  and  appoint  Capt.  William  Allen  and  Nahum 
Baldwin  of  the  Plantation  of  Industry  aforesaid,  to  be  our  true  and 
Lawful  agents  or  attornies,  and  for  us  and  for  each  of  us  cv  in  our 
names  &  behalf,  to  appear  before  the  Commissioners  Appointed  by  his 
Excellency  the  Covernor  and  Council,  under  a  Resolve  of  the  Legisla- 
ture of  the  Commonwealth  aforesaid,  passed  the  nineteenth  day  of 
Feby.,  One  thousand  eight  hundred  &  two,  to  adjust  &  settle  all  disputes 
between  the  proprietors  of  the  Kennebec  purchase  (so  called)  and  the 
Settlers  who  have  settled  on  the  Undivided  Lands  oi  said  Proprietors 
as  described  in  the  Resolve  aforesaid,  and  us  their  Constituents  to 
represent  before  said  Commissioners,  for  us  and  in  our  names  to  make, 
sign  &  Execute  In  Submission  or  Reference  to  the  Commissioners 
aforesaid,  the  same  to  be  good,  valid  &  binding  on  us  and  each  of  us 
as  tho.  we  were  personally  present,  and  had  subscribed  our  names  to 
such  submission  or  Reference  aforesaid  to  all  intents,  constructions  & 
purposes  whatever.     In    testimony  whereof,  we   have  hereunto  set   our 


LAND    TITLES. 


35 


hands  and  seals  this  first  day  of  October,  in   the   year  of  our  Lord  one 
thousand  eight  hundred  and  two. 

Signed  &  scaled  in  presence  of 

(signed) 
Jonathan  Williamson,  Jr. 
Luther  Burr.        Levi  Willard. 


(signed)  Cornelius  Norton 
John   Patterson. 


John  Thompson. 

Elijah  Butler. 
Rufus  Sanderson. 
Atkins  Ellis. 
James  Johnson. 
Samuel   Moody. 
Zoe  Withee. 
Nathl.  Davis. 
Jeremiah  Bean. 
David  Smith. 
Abijah  Smith. 
Joshua  Greenleaf. 
Samuel  Hinckley. 
Daniel  Ellet. 
John  Lake. 
Sam  Hill. 
Saml.  Brown. 
John  Thompson. 


Joseph     X    Taylor. 

mark 

John  Gower. 
John  Webber. 
Nath'l  Willard. 
Levi  Greenleaf. 
Zachariah  Norton. 
Clark  Works. 
Joel  Works. 
Daniel  Burr. 
Eben'r  Williamson. 
Abraham  Johnson. 
Bartlett  Allen. 


Samuel  Willard. 

Jonathan  Knowlton. 
James  Thompson. 

his 

Joseph     X     Moody. 

mark 

Hugh  Thompson. 
Levi  Joy. 
Eleazer  Crowell. 
Peter  West, 
fames  Winslow. 
William  Baker  Mann. 
James  Heard. 
Isaac  Young. 


Nathaniel  Chapman.       Elijah  Norton. 


Peter  Witham. 
Ebenezer  Oakes. 
Samuel  Leeman. 
Jacob  Leeman. 
David  Maxell. 
1  >an'l  Young. 


Ebenezer  Clark. 
John  Coffin. 
Jacob  Matthews. 
Thomas  Johnson. 
Benjamin  (Arnold  ?] 
Ebenezer  Stevens. 
Benja.  Burges. 
John  B.  Stevens. 


Zephaniah  Luce. 

his 

Daniel     X    Emmery.     John  Young. 

mark 

Silas  Perham.  Lemuel  Collins 

his 

Ambrose  Arnold.  Benjamin    X    Jewett.     Archelaus  Luce. 

mark 
his 

De'Have  Norton.  Jabez    X    Rollins.  Joshua  Pike. 

mark 


36  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

his 

Freeman  Allen.  Ephraim    X    Moody.     Samuel  Stevens. 

mark 
his 

Shubael    X    Crowell.      Elisha  Luce. 

mark 

John  Thompson,  Jr.        Benjamin  Stevens. 

Henry  N.  Chamberlain.  William  Ladd. 

Seth  Brooks.  Alvan  Howes. 

Kennebec,  ss.  Industry  Plantation,  October  the  first.  1802.  then 
the  above  named  persons  Personally  appeared  and  acknowledged  the 
above  Instrument  to  be  their  free  act  and   Deed,  before  me. 

j\      ( •         v       ivt  justice  of 

signed)      Cornelius    Norton     J       ,,      t, 
&       '  the  Peace. 

The  names  of  Henry  X.  Chamberlain  and  Seth  Brooks,  were  ack. 
on  ( )ct.  5. 

Money  being  almost  wholly  out  of  the  question,  the  settlers 
paid  Capt.  Allen  in  grain,  with  the  exception  of  one  who  gave 
him  a  silver  dollar,  which  was  all  the  cash  he .  got  from  them 
towards  defraying  the  expenses  of  his  journey.  Their  cases 
were  presented  in  clue  form  by  the  agent,  who  labored  assidu- 
ously to  secure  favorable  terms  for  his  employers,  but  with 
little  avail. 

The  impartial  reader  can  not  fail  to  discern  that  the  settlers 
of  Industry  were  submitting  their  cause  to  a  rigid  tribunal, 
whose  sympathies  in  the  matter  favored  the  proprietors.  Not 
only  was  their  able  agent,  Charles  Vaughan,  Esquire,  in  attend- 
ance at  these  hearings  ;  but  likewise  eminent  legal  counsel*  and 
witnesses  were  subpoenaed  to  testify  in  behalf  of  the  proprietors. 
On  the  other  hand,  settlers  who  were  too  poor  to  personally 
appear  before  the  Commission  in  their  own  behalf,  were  in 
circumstances  which  precluded  all  thoughts  of  counsel  to  de- 
fend their  rights,  or  witnesses  to  tell  of  the  stubborn  nature  of 
the  soil  in  Industry,  or  the  abject  poverty  and  want  of  its  in- 
habitants. The  proprietors'  counsel  availed  themselves  of  the 
most   trivial  errors,  making  mountains  of  mole  hills,  in  order  to 

♦These  were  Hon.  James  Bridge,  an  eminent  counsellor  of  his  day,  and  Reuel 
Williams,  then  a  rising  young  lawyer. 


LAND    TITLES.  37 

"•ain  an  advantage  over  the  settlers,  whom  they  seemed  to 
regard  rather  as  criminals  to  be  convicted,  than  honest  men 
presenting  equitable  claims  for  adjudication. 

Forming  an  opinion  from  a  few  fertile  spots  on  the  beautiful 
Kennebec,  and  the  glowing  accounts  of  the  Company's  wit- 
nesses, the  prices  affixed  to  lots  of  land  appraised  was  from 
seventy-five  cents  to  one  dollar  and  twenty-five  cents  per  acre, 
higher  than  equally  as  good   land  cost  in  adjoining  towns. 

"Thirty-one  settlers,"*  writes  Win.  Allen,  "submitted  their 
claims  to  the  Commissioners,  all  of  whom  were  greatly  disap- 
pointed with  the  appraisal,  and  only  eleven  of  this  number,  by 
the  aid  of  friends,  were  able  to  make  payment  according  to  the 
appraisal,  and  not  more  than  six  from  their  own  resources. 
Some  of  these  had  to  sell  every  animal  of  stock  the)'  had,  to 
do  it.  Ten  others  prevailed  on  friends  to  advance  the  money 
for  them  and  take  the  deeds  for  their  security  and  to  give  them 
time  to  purchase  of  them  or  redeem  their  mortgages.  The 
other  ten  abandoned  their  possessions  and  left  town.  An  age 
elapsed  before  the  title  of  the  proprietors  or  non-residents  was 
extinguished." 

"  My  lot,"  continues  Esq.  Allen,  "  cost  me  two  hundred  and 
seven  dollars  and  forty-two  cents,  in  1804.  I  was  able, 

by  selling  my  oxen  and  all  my  grain,  and  by  appropriating  my 
wages  for  teaching  school,  to  raise  the  necessary  sum  within  ten 
dollars,  and  Elijah  Fairbanks,  of  YVinthrop,  voluntarily  lent  me 
that  sum  to  complete  the  payment.  I  then  took  a  receipt  and 
demanded  my  deed,  but  was  refused  for  some  time,  till  I  paid 
the  two  dollars  required  by  the  agent  and  took  a  deed  without 
warranty."  Each  claim  adjusted  required  the  execution  of  two 
sets  of  papers,  one  being  a  "submission,"  signed  by  the  settler 
or  his  attorney,  the  other  a  written  decision  of  the  Commis- 
sioners, f  The  samples  here  given  are  verbatim  copies  of  the 
originals. 


*  (Hist,  of  Industry,  p.  S.J     The  returns  of  the  Commissioners  show  that   forty- 
eight  settlers  submitted  their  claims. 

f  In  the  originals,  the  words  in  italics  were  in  writing,  the  rest  in  printing. 


vs  HISTORY    OF   INDUSTRY. 

The  Form  used  in  the  "Submission"  or  Reference,  between  the 
Kennebec  Proprietors  and  mi  Settlers  in  the  Plantation  of 
Industry,  in   1S02. 

Whereas  the  Legislature  of  this  Commonwealth,  l>y  a  resolution  of 
the  nineteenth  day  of  February,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  two, 
made  and  provided  for  the  quieting  of  settlers  on  the  common  and  un- 
divided lands  belonging  to  the  proprietors  of  the  Kennebec  Purchase, 
from  the  late  Colony  of  New  Plymouth,  and  for  establishing  commis- 
sioners for  that  purpose,  did    Resolve  as  follows: 

"That  the  Governor,  with  the  consent  of  the  Council,  be,  and  he 
■•  hereby  is  authorized  and  requested  to  nominate  and  commission  three 
"disinterested  persons  to  adjust  and  settle  all  disputes  between  said 
"  Proprietors  and  any  such  person  or  persons,  their  heirs  and  assigns. 
•'  as  have  not  settled  with  said  proprietors  or  their  Agents. — And  the 
"said  Commissioners,  in  settling  the  terms  aforesaid,  for  quieting  any 
"settler  in  the  possession  of  one  hundred  acres  of  land  laid  out  so  as 
"to  include  his  improvements,  and  be  least  injurious  to  adjoining  lands. 
"  shall  have  a  reference  to  three  discriptions  of  settlers,  viz  :  those  set- 
"  tied  before  the  war  with  Great  Brittain,  settlers  during  the  war  afore- 
"said,  and  settlers  since  that  period,  or  to  any  person  whose  possession 
"  has  been  transferred   to  claimants  now  in  possession." 

And  whereas  Janus  Johnson,  since  the  War  with  Great  Brittain,  to- 
wit,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  ninety- six, 
was  a  settler  on  a  lot  of —  No.jg,  sixty-nine  acres  of  land,  situated  in 
Industry  Plantation,  the  bounds  whereof  shall  be  ascertained  and  set- 
tled by  the  said  Commissioners  in  their  report  hereon,  the  same  lot 
being  part  of  the  land  held  under  the  Proprietors  of  the  said  Kennebec 
Pun  hase,  James  Johnson,  a  claimant  now  in  possession  thereof. 

Now.  in  pursuance  of  the  said  Resolve  and  appointment,  I.  Charles 
Vaughan,  Agent  to  the  Proprietors  aforesaid,  and  the  said  fames  John- 
son, do  refer  and  submit  it  to  the  said  Commissioners,  they,  or  the 
major  part  of  them,  to  settle  and  declare  the  terms  aforesaid,  on  which 
the  said  James  Johnson,  his  heirs  and  assigns,  shall  be  quieted  in  the 
possession  of  the  said  lot,  the  said  Proprietors,  by  their  Agent  afore- 
said, and  the  said  James  Johnson,  their  heirs,  executors,  administrators 
and  assigns,  respective!)  holden  and  bound  by  the  report  of  said  Com- 
missioners in  the  premises,  when  made  into  the  Secretary's  Office  of 
said  Commonwealth,  as  directed  by  said  Resolve. 

In  Witness  whereof  We   hereto  set   our  hands  this  sixteenth  day  of 


LAND    TITLES.  39 

October,  in   the   year   of    our    Lord   one  thousand  eight   hundred  and 

two. 

(signed)      Chas.  Vaughan,  Agent. 

Signed   in  presence  of 
(signed)    Lemuel  Perham.  (signed) 

James  Johnson, 
by  his  attornies, 

//  'in.  Allen. 
Nahum  Baldwin. 

Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts. 


This  Sixteenth  day  of  December,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thou- 
sand eight  hundred  and  two,  on  the  foregoing  reference  between  the 
Proprietors  of  the  Kennebec  Purchase,  by  their  Agent  Charles  Vaughan 
and  James  Johnson,  for  quieting  the  said  James  Johnson  agreeably  to 
the  before  mentioned  Resolve,  in  the  possession  of  the  said  lot  of  land, 
being  lott  number  Thirty- nine  on  Plan  No.  4,  situated  in  the  Plantation 
of  Industry,  containing  sixty-nine  acres, 

As  by  the  plan  and  description  signed  by  Lemuel  Perham  surveyor, 
hereto  annexed  will  appear,  reference  thereto  being  had. 

We,  the  Commissioners  before  named,  having  met  and  heard  the 
parties,  do  settle,  declare,  and  report,  that  the  said  James  Johnson  be 
quieted  in  the  possession  of  the  above  bounded  premises — To  have 
and  to  hold  the  same  to  the  said  James  Johnson  his  heirs  and  assigns, 
to  his  and  their  use  forever,  on  the  terms  following,  namely  ; 

That  the  said  Junes  Johnson,  his  heirs,  executors,  or  administrators, 
shall,  on  or  before  the  first  day  of  June  which  will  be  in  the  year  of 
our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  four,  pay  to  Thomas  Lindall 
Winthrop,  esquire,  Treasurer  of  the  said  Proprietors  of  the  Kennebec- 
Purchase,  or  his  successor  in  said  office,  the  sum  of  ninety  dollars,  and 
fifty  cents  with  interest,  from  the  first  day  of  April  next,  then  the  said 
Proprietors  by  their  Agent,  shall  make  or  cause  to  be  made  to  the  said 
James  Johnson  his  heirs  or  assigns,  a  deed  of  the  above  described 
premises,  whereby  he  and  they  may  hold  the  same  in  fee-simple  for- 
ever. 

(signed)      Elijah  Brigham. 


Given  under  our  hands 
and  seals. 


P.  Coffin. 
Thomas  Dwight. 


CHAPTER  III. 


SETTLEMENT  OF   THE   TOWN. 

The   Plymouth  Patent.  —  The    New  Vineyard  Gore.  —  The    Lowell    Strip.  —  North 
Industry. 

Who  are  the  nobles  of  the  earth, 

The  true  aristocrats, 
Who  need  not  how  their  heads  to  lords. 

Nor  doll   to  kings  their  hats? 
******* 
Who  are  they,  but  the  men  of  toil, 

Who  cleave  the  forest  down, 
And   plant,  amid   the  wilderness, 

The  hamlet  and  the  town? 

Stewart. 


AFTER  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  War  many  \vh<>  were 
in  straitened  circumstances  were  induced  to  come  to  Industry  to 
settle,  from  the  fact  that  this  land  had  for  the  most  part  be- 
longed to  Tories,  or  sympathizers  with  England,  who,  when  the 
tocsin  of  war  sounded,  either  clandestinely  left  the  country  or 
remained  and  used  every  means  at  their  command  to  aid  and 
abet  the  English  soldier)'.  Under  these  circumstances,  the 
assumption  was  not  an  unreasonable  one  that  by  such  disloyalty 
all  right  and  title  to  their  estates  would  be  forfeited  and  their 
lands  become  the  property  of  the  United  States.  On  the 
strength  of  this  hypothesis,  many  who  had  served  faithfully  in 
the  Revolutionary  War,  having  no  means  to  buy,  came  hither 
and  took  up  wild  land,  which  they  hoped  to  hold  by  posses- 
sion, or  by  the  payment  of  a  nominal  sum  to  the  government 
in  consideration  of  their  faithful  service.  These  were  substan- 
tially the  circumstances  under  which  many  came  and  settled  on 


SETTLEMENT  OF   THE   TOWN.  4' 

the  Patent,  appropriating  land  and  erecting  log  cabins  for  their 
families  wherever  a  desirable  location  could   be  found. ' 

The  first  settler  within  the  limits  of  Industry,  as  the  town 
was  afterward  incorporated,  was  Levi  Greenleaf,  who  settled  on 
lot  No.  61,  in  1787.1  Mr.  Greenleaf  was  from  Massachu- 
setts,! a  native  of  Bolton,  and  a  young  man  of  character  and 
energy.  He  married  about  the  time  of  his  removal  to  the  wilds 
of  Maine,  and  brought  his  wife  and  household  goods  here  on 
a  sled  drawn  by  four  large  oxen.  The  farm  cleared  by  him 
was  in  that  part  of  the  town  set  off  to  New  Sharon  in  1852, 
and   is  now  known  as  the  Daniel  Collins  farm. 

Peter  Witham,  who  came  to  Industry  from  the  vicinity  of 
Hallowell,  in  1788,  and  settled  north  of  Mr.  Greenleaf,  on  Lot 
No.  6/,§  was  the  second  settler  on  the  Patent.  He  was  coarse, 
vulgar  and  illiterate,  and  was  not  prosperous — possibly  in  con- 
sequence of  intemperate  habits. 

No  further  settlements  were  made  on  the  Patent  until  1792, 
when  Nathaniel  Willard  and  sons  came  from  Dunstable,  Mass., 
and  settled  on  lot  No.  14,  at  Thompson's  Corner.  A  portion 
of  this  lot,  if  not  the  whole,  is  included  in  the  Thomas  M.  Oli- 
ver farm,  just  south  of  the  school-house  in  George  W.  John- 
son's district.  Three  years  later,  Mr.  Willard's  son,  Levi,  took 
up   lot    No.  15,  adjoining    his    father's  on    the   north.      Samuel, 


*  To  the  writer  it  seems  a  singular  circumstance  that  the  courts  should  invariably 
decide  in  favor  of  the  disloyal  proprietors  when  this  matter  was  brought  before  them 
for  adjudication  some  years  later. 

t  Esq.  Win.  Allen  says  (Hist,  of  Industry,  p.  rj):  "The  first  settlers  in  Industry 
on  the  patent  were  Joseph  Taylor  and  Peter  Witham  in  1792,  on  that  part  set  off  to 
New  Sharon,  also  about  the  same  time  Nathaniel  Chapman,  who  was  a  Revolutionary 
soldier."  Documentary  evidence  in  the  State-house  in  Massachusetts  shows  that 
Peter  Witham  came  in  17SS,  Taylor  in  1799,  eleven  years  later,  and  that  Mr.  Chap- 
man did  nut  settle  in  town  until  1801.  These  same  records  show  Levi  Greenleaf  to 
have  been  the  first  settler  in  town,  as  stated  above. 

%  Jonathan  Greenleaf,  in  his  Genealogy  of  the  Greenleaf  Family  (see p.  78),  says 
Mr.  Greenleaf  came  to  Maine  from  Dunstable,  N.  IT,  but  the  author  has  been  unable 
to  find  a  New  Hampshire  town  of  that  name  in  any  Gazetteer  he  has  consulted. 

*  Although  the  Plymouth  Patent  was  not  surveyed  until  many  settlers  had  become 
residents  thereon,  the  writer  has,  for  convenience,  designated  the  lots  as  subsequently 
numbered  when  the  survey  was  afterward  made. 


42  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

another  son,  settled  on  lot  No.  62,  in  the  south  part  of  the 
town,  in  1799,  his  lot  joining  that  of  Levi  Greenleaf.  Jonathan 
Knowlton  settled  on  lot  No.  18,  north  side  of  Bannock  Hill,  the 
same  year  as  Mr.  Willard.  Mr.  Knowlton  was  one  of  the 
original  purchasers  of  the  township  of  New  Vineyard,  and  also 
owned  the  northwest  section  of  the  New  Vineyard  Gore.  It  is 
supposed  that  he  occupied  his  lot  but  a  short  time.  He  was 
probably  succeeded  by  Archelaus  Luce,  and  in  1798  the  lot 
reverted  to  Mr.  Knowlton's  son,  Jonathan  Knowlton,  Jr.,  who 
lived  there  until  after  the  town  was  incorporated  and  then  sold 
his  improvements  to  Dr.  Aaron  Stoyell,  who  obtained  a  title  to 
the  land  from  the  proprietors'  agent,  and  subsequently  sold  to 
Jacob  Hayes,  who  came  from  Berwick,  Me.,  about  1809.  Mr. 
Hayes  remained  there  a  few  years,  and  then  exchanged  farms 
with  John  Patterson  and  removed  to  the  south  side  of  the  hill. 
Mr.  Patterson  and  his  son  Samuel  occupied  this  farm  for  many 
years.  The  land  is  now  (  1892)  owned  by  George  W.  Johnson. 
A  tew  apple-trees  which  stood  near  the  house,  and  traces  of  the 
cellar,  are  still  to  be  seen.  Mr.  Luce,  on  giving  possession  to 
Knowlton,  settled  on  lot  No.  27,  at  Goodridge's  Corner,  where 
he  remained  until  1808,  when  he  sold  to  James  Davis  and 
moved  to  George's  River.*  Mr.  Luce  was  from  Martha's  Vine- 
yard, as  was  also  Mr.  Davis.  The  farm  he  occupied  was  owned 
for  many  years  by  the  late  Hovey  Thomas. 

John  Thompson,  Jr.,  and  Jeremiah  Beane,  settled  near  Mr. 
Greenleaf,  in  1793,  on  lots  No.  64  and  66;  but  nothing  has 
been  learned  concerning  them.  Mr.  Beane  is  supposed  to  have 
left  the  settlement  prior  to  the  incorporation  of  the  town.  Mr. 
Thompson  is  not  known  to  have  been  related  to  Capt.  John 
Thompson,  who  figured  prominently  in  the  early  history  of  the 
town.  The  following  year  saw  quite  an  influx  of  immigrants 
among  whom  were  James  Thompson,  Thomas  Johnson  and  Zoe 
Withee.  Mr.  Thompson  had  resided  in  Norridgewock  for  some 
years  previous  to  his  settlement  on  the  Patent,  but  was  a  native 
of  New  Hampshire.      He  settled  on   lot   No.  2,  a  near  neighbor 

*  Allen's  History  of  Industry,  p.  ././. 


SETTLEMENT  OF  THE  TOWN.  43 

to  Nathaniel  Willard.  He  was  a  man  of  energy  and  enterprise, 
cleared  a  good  farm,  built  a  commodious  frame  house,  and  was 
held  in  high  esteem  by  all  who  knew  him.  He  eventually  sold 
his  farm  to  Samuel  Norton,  of  Edgartown,  Mass.,  and  moved 
to  the  State  of  New  York.  This  farm  is  now  owned  by  George 
W.  Johnson,  and  among  the  older  townspeople  is  known  as  the 
Albert  George  farm. 

Thomas  Johnson  and  sons,  from  Martha's  Vineyard,  came 
to  Sandy  River  in  1793,  and  the  following  year  began  to  clear 
land  on  lot  No.  8  on  the  Patent,  built  a  log  cabin,  and  moved 
his  family  there  in  the  autumn  of  the  same  year.  His  sons, 
Abraham  and  James,  took  up  lots  No.  13  and  39,  adjoining 
their  father's,  in  1796.  The  land  embraced  in  lots  No.  8  and 
39,  is  now  owned  by  Augustus  H.  Swift,  while  No.  13  comprises 
the  farm  of  McLaughlin  Bros.  Esq.  Wm.  Allen  states  that 
another  son  settled  on  lot  No.  }J  ;  but  there  is  nothing  to  show 
when  he  settled  there  or  how  long  he  remained.  In  "  quieting" 
the  settlers  upon  their  lots,  agreeably  to  a  resolve  of  the  General 
Court,  in  1802,  this  lot  was  claimed  by  Joseph  Moody,  and  the 
record  shows  that  he  took  possession  in  1797. 

Zoe  VVithee  settled  at  Withee's  Corner,  a  near  neighbor  to 
Mr.  Johnson.  His  lot,  No.  38,  is  now  (1892)  owned  and 
occupied  by  Alvin  L.  Chapman.  Mr.  VVithee  was  a  soldier  of 
the  Revolution,  and  when  he  first  came  to  Industry,  intemperate 
in  his  habits.  He  was  soundly  converted,  under  the  preaching 
of  "  Father  John  Thompson,"  and  ever  after  lived  an  upright 
christian  life.  He  came  from  Vienna,  but  was  a  native  of  New 
Hampshire.  His  farm  in  former  years  was  regarded  as  one  of 
the  best   in  town. 

John  Thompson,  also  from  Vienna,  came  to  Industry  in 
1795,  and  settled  on  lot  No.  16,  adjoining  that  of  his  brother 
James  on  the  east.  Here  he  cleared  land,  erected  a  cabin  and 
made  his  home  for  some  years ;  but  subsequently,  after  the 
incorporation  of  the  town,  removed  to  lot  No.  53,  by  Stark's  line. 
John  B.  Stevens  was  the  original  settler  on  this  lot  in  1795, 
and  had  made  some  improvements  thereon.  On  giving  posses- 
sion to  Mr.  Thompson,  he   left  town,  and  nothing  of  his  subse- 


44  HISTORY   OF    INDUSTRY. 

quent  history  is  known.  Mr.  Thompson  cleared  up  a  nice  farm, 
erected  mills  on  a  small  stream  which  flowed  through  his  lot, 
and  also  a  commodious  two-story  house,  which  still  stands  on 
the  place.  1  le  was  largely  instrumental  in  erecting  the  "  Red 
Meeting-House,"  the  first  house  of  worship  in  town,  and  figured 
prominently  in  even'  good  work.  The  homestead  fell  by  heir- 
ship to  his  son  Robert,  who  spent  his  whole  life  thereon.  It  is 
now  owned  by  the  sons  of  Alvin  L.  Chapman.  Joseph  Badger 
settled  on  lot  No.  51,  at  an  early  date,  but  made  only  a  brief 
Stay.  The  next  settler  on  this  lot  was  Joshua  Tike,  who  came 
from  Salisbury,  Mass.,  in  1795.  He  spent  the  whole  of  his 
active  life  on  this  lot,  clearing  and  bringing  into  cultivation  the 
farm  now  owned  by  Wm.  J.  Gilmore.  Samuel  Crompton,  a  blunt 
Englishman,  from  Staffordshire  County,  came  to  Industry  and 
settled  on  lot  No.  46,*  in  1795,  having  commenced  a  clearing 
the  previous  year.  I  lis  lot  was  located  in  that  part  of  the  town 
set  off  to  New  Sharon,  and  is  now  (1892)  known  as  the  John 
Yeaton  farm.  Mr.  Crompton  was  an  honest,  hard-working- 
man,  but  rather  poor  when  he  first  settled  on  the  Patent.  By 
diligence  and  perseverance,  however,  he  made  a  good  farm  and 
acquired  a  comfortable  competency.  John  Webber  settled  on 
lot  No.  48,  adjoining  Mr.  Crompton's  lot,  in  1796,  and  lived  in 
town  until  after  its  incorporation.  Further  than  this,  nothing  is 
known  concerning  him.  Jonathan  Bunker,  a  ropemaker,  from 
Nantucket,  Mass.,  settled  on  lot  No.  5,  on  the  east  side  of  Ban- 
nock Hill,  where  he  lived  for  fifteen  years.  He  then  sold  to 
Henry  Johnson,  who  came  from  Thomaston,  Me.,  and  removed 
to  the  State  of  New  York.  Samuel  Moody  and  several  of  his 
sons,  came  to  the  settlement  on  the  Patent  in  1797.  Of  these, 
the  father  settled  on  lot  No.  22,  and  Joseph,  one  of  the  sons, 
on  lot  No.  37,  which  is  embraced  in  the  farm  now  owned  by 
Horatio  A.  P>.  Keves.  (  hie  or  two  other  sons  lived  in  town; 
but  all  were  very  poor  and  eventually  moved  away.  They  were 
from  Shapleigh. 

Joseph  Broadbent  took  up  lot  No.  7,  lying  to  the  south  of 


*  Wm.  Allen  says  (  Hist,  of  Industry, p. 37)  that  Mr.  Crompton's  lot  was  No.  47. 
which  does  not  agree  with  the  records  of  the  Appraising  Commission. 


SETTLEMENT  OF   THE   TOWN.  45 

the  Jacob  Hayes  farm,  in  1798,  but  left  the  settlement  before 
the  incorporation  of  the  town.  Hugh  Thompson,  who  may 
have  been  the  father  of  James  and  John,  settled  on  lot  No.  17, 
lying  north  of  the  fo renamed  John's  lot.  His  name  does  not 
appear  as  a  petitioner  for  incorporation  of  the  town,  or  as  one 
of  the  legal  voters  of  1803.  The  writer  has  been  unable  to 
ascertain  anything  in  relation  to  his  final  destiny. 

Capt.  William  Allen,  father  of  the  historian,  commenced  a 
clearing  on  lot  No.  34,  on  what  has  since  been  known  as  Allen 
Hill,  in  October,  1796.  The  next  year  he  cut  more  trees,  built 
a  log-house,  and  on  the  30th  day  of  April,  1798,  moved  his 
family  to  their  new  home  on  the  Patent.  William,  his  eldest 
son,  commenced  a  clearing  on  lot  No.  28,  in  the  spring  of  1801, 
and  sowed  two  acres  of  wheat  and  one  of  rye  that  season. 
This  lot  was  made  into  a  productive  farm  by  young  Mr.  Allen. 
It  is  now  known  as  the  Deacon  Ira  Emery  farm,  and  is  owned 
by  Charles  V.  Look.  Bartlett,  another  son  of  Capt.  William,  set- 
tled on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Francis  S.  Rogers.  Capt. 
Allen  was  a  clothier  by  trade,  and  worked  at  that  business  be- 
fore coming  to  Industry.  He  was  a  native  of  Chilmark, 
Mass.  Atkins  Ellis,  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  came  to  Industry 
from  Harwich,  Mass.,  and  settled  on  lot  No.  35,  on  New 
Sharon  line,  in  1798.  He  was  the  father  of  a  large  family  who 
frequently  suffered  for  the  common  comforts  of  life.  Being 
unable  to  pay  for  his  land,  he  moved  to  lot  L,  south  of  Pike's 
Corner,  and  later  to  Ripley,  Me.  His  lot  is  now  known  as  the 
Russell   Macomber  farm. 

Alvin  Howes  commenced  improvements  on  lot  No.  44,  in 
1798.  Being  a  single  man,  he  boarded  with  James  Johnson 
and  others,  until  he  finally  married,  in  1801.  He  was  a  practi- 
cal farmer,  and  labored  incessantly  to  improve  his  farm  and 
render  it  more  valuable  and  productive.  He  was  a  native  of 
Dennis,  Mass.,  but  came  to  the  settlement  on  the  Patent  from 
Farmington.  The  farm  on  which  he  spent  the  whole  of  his 
active  life  is  now  owned  by  George  W\  Bailey. 

Lemuel  Collins,  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  settled  in  Indus- 
try on  lot  No.  50,  the  same  year  as  did   Mr.  Howes  who  subse- 
quently married  his  eldest  daughter,  Mercy  Collins. 
6 


46  HISTORY   OF   INDUS  TR)'. 

Isaac  Young,  Jr.,  and  Benjamin  Gray,  also  came  to  the 
Patent  in  1798,  and  settled  on  lots  No.  59  and  70,  but  both 
moved  away  prior  to  the  incorporation  of  the  town. 

Samuel  Brown  made  a  settlement  on  lot  No.  1 9,  in  1799. 
He  came  from  Farmington,  his  father  and  Nathaniel  Davis  hav- 
ing been  the  first  permanent  settlers  in  that  town.  His  lot  is 
now  included  in  the  Thomas  Stevens  farm,  owned  and  occupied 
by  David  W.  Merry. 

Elisha  Luce  made  a  small  clearing  on  lot  No.  $3,  in  1799, 
burned  his  chopping  and  sowed  an  acre  of  wheat,  which  he 
hoed  in,  being  too  poor  to  hire  a  yoke  of  oxen.  He  afterward 
enlarged  his  clearing,  built  a  log-house,  and  sold  out  to  Jona- 
than Goodridge.  This  farm  is  now  the  property  of  Alvarez  N. 
Goodridge.  Ephraim  Moody  and  Eleazer  Crowell  settled  on 
lots  32  and  43  the  same  year  as  Mr.  Luce,  but  neither  remained 
long.  William  Ladd  from  Mt.  Vernon  settled  in  town  in  1798, 
first  on  lot  No.  22,  where  he  remained  three  years  and  then 
moved  to  lot  21.  His  habits  were  bad,  and  he  was  always 
poor.      He  eventually  removed  to  Stark.* 

I'lll'.    NEW    VINEYARD    GORE. 

The  first  settlement  within  the  present  limits  of  the  town  of 
Industry  was  made  on  the  New  Vineyard  Goref  in  1 79 1 . 
l'h is  tract  of  land  was  a  remnant,  of  rectangular  shape,  left 
after  the  survey  of  the  township  of  New  Vineyard,  its  longest 
sides  being  from  east  to  west.  It  was  bounded  on  the  north  by 
the  township  of  New  Vineyard,  on  the  west  by  Readstown 
(now  Strong),  on  the  south  by  Sandy  River  Plantation  (now 
Farmington),  and  on  the  east  by  the  Lowell  or  Mile-and-a-half 
Strip.  In  extent  it  was  six  hundred  and  three  rods  long,  four 
hundred  and  fifteen  rods  wide,  and  contained  one  thousand  five 
hundred  and  sixty-four  acres.       This  tract  of  land  was  purchased 

*  More  extender]  sketches  of  many  of  these  settlers  may  be  round  in  tin-  genea- 
logical portion  of  this  work. 

f  The  early  surveyors  in  laying  out  townships  invariably  applied  tin-  term  gore  to 
any  fragment  ol  land  remaining  after  the  survey,  irrespective  ol  size  or  shape. 


SETTLEMENT  OF   THE   TOWN.  47 

of  the  land  agent  of  Massachusetts  in  1790  by  a  company 
consisting  of  Jonathan  Knowlton  and  Ebenezer  Norton,  Esq., 
of  Farmington,  Deacon  Cornelius  Norton,  Abner  Norton  and 
Daniel  Collins,  of  Martha's  Vineyard,  for  forty-five  pounds 
sterling,  or  a  little  less  than  fourteen  cents  per  acre.  Knowl- 
ton, Ebenezer  and  Cornelius  Norton,  each  taking  a  quarter 
section,  and  Abner  Norton  and  Daniel  Collins  each  taking 
one-eighth  of  the  tract.  During  the  following  winter  these 
gentlemen  proceeded  to  explore  their  purchase,  and  made  a 
preliminary  division  of  the  same,  so  that  those  who  wished 
could  commence  a  clearing  at  once.  They  first  divided  their 
purchase  into  two  equal  parts  by  running  a  line,  with  a  pocket 
compass,  through  the  center  from  north  to  south.  They  then 
agreed  to  a  proposition  made  by  Esquire  Ebenezer  Norton,  in 
consideration  of  the  lots  on  the  south  half  being  more  valua- 
ble on  account  of  being  nearer  the  settlement  at  Sandy  River, 
to  make  those  on  the  north  half  wider,  and  consented  to  run 
the  line  east  and  west  from  a  beech-tree  two  rods  south  of  the 
centre.  They  then  proceeded  to  draw  lots  for  the  sections. 
The  northwest  section  fell  to  Jonathan  Knowlton,  the  northeast 
section  to  Deacon  Cornelius  Norton,  the  southwest  section  to 
Esquire  Ebenezer  Norton,  and  the  southeast  section  to  Abner 
Norton  and  Daniel  Collins.  It  was  said  that  after  the  division, 
Esquire  Norton,  who  had  designated  the  starting  point  for  the 
east  and  west  line,  complained  that  Knowlton  and  Deacon  Nor- 
ton had  got  too  much  of  the  land,  their  lots  being  four  rods 
wider  than  the  others,  whereas  he  had  intended  that  there 
should  have  been  only  two  rods  difference.  Doubtless  this  was 
the  intention  of  the  gentleman,  but  not  stopping  to  think,  in  the 
haste  of  the  moment,  that  it  would  be  necessary  to  move  the 
line  but  one  rod  south  of  the  centre  to  make  the  required  two 
rods  difference  in  the  width  of  the  two  lots  on  the  north,  he  made 
an  error  in  his  calculations.  But  as  all  the  others  were  satisfied 
with  the  division,  it  was  confirmed;  and  Esquire  William  Allen 
says:  "To  pacify  the  complainant,  the  others  relinquished 
to  him  their  right  to  purchase  a  fragment  of  good  land  adjoin- 
ing Clear  Water   Pond."      Early  in   the  spring  of  1791,  Abner 


48  HISTORY    OF    INDUSTRY. 

Norton  and  Daniel  Collins  commenced  to  make  a  clearing  on 
their  section  of  the  Gore.  They  ran  a  line  through  the  centre, 
from  north  to  smith,  and  agreed  that  in  the  final  survey,  pro- 
vided any  errors  occurred  in  the  first  division,  that  the  perma- 
nent line  should  be  so  varied  as  to  give  each  one  the  benefits 
of  his  improvements,  and  at  the  same  time  give  each  his  equal 
share  of  the  land.  After  the  division  was  made,  Mr.  Norton 
took  the  western  and  Mr.  Collins  the  eastern  portion.  These 
tracts  of  land  comprised  the  farms  now  owned  and  occupied  by 
(.  Simon  Furbush  and  John  Vehue,  the  latter  having  been 
diminished  by  the  sale  of  a  strip  containing  fifty  acres  from  its 
eastern  extremity.  In  order  to  make  an  opening  sufficiently 
large  to  secure  a  good  draft  of  wind  and  thus  insure  a  good 
burn,  Messrs.  Norton  and  Collins  made  their  first  clearings 
adjoining  each  other.  During  the  summer  following  they  each 
built  a  substantial  log-house.  Mr.  Collins's  new  house  stood 
on  a  ridge  of  land  near  where  John  Venue's  new  house  stands, 
at  a  turn  in  the  road  as  it  strikes  the  Farmington  line.  Mr.  Nor- 
ton's was  located  on  his  clearing  some  rods  further  to  the  west. 
The  walls  of  these  houses  were  laid  up  of  logs  notched  near  the 
ends  so  as  to  fit  each  other  snugly.  The  roof  was  covered  with 
hemlock  or  spruce  bark  held  in  place  by  long  poles  withed 
down.  The  gables  were  also  covered  with  bark,  while  the 
cracks  between  the  logs  were  caulked  with  moss  on  the  inside 
and  plastered  with  clay  on  the  outside.  The  chimneys  were  of 
stone  laid  in  clay  mortar  and  topped  out  with  sticks.  A  path 
having  been  bushed  out  from  their  clearings  on  the  Gore  to  the 
settlement  at  Sandy  River,  so  that  they  could  pass  with  a 
horse-sled  before  the  snow  became  deep,  Mr.  Collins  and  Mr. 
Norton  moved  their  families  from  Martha's  Vineyard  in  Decem- 
ber, I  79 1,  to  their  new  homes  in  the  then  almost  unbroken  wilds 
of  northern  Maine.  At  that  time  Mr.  Collins's  family  consisted 
of  himself,  his  wife  and  eight  children.  This  number  included 
two  pair  of  twins,  the  eldest  two  and  youngest  two  being  coup- 
lets. The  oldest  two  were  twelve  years  of  age.  while  the  young- 
est two  had  hardly  completed  their  first  year.  During  the 
journey  to  their  new  home,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Collins  rode  on  horse- 


SETTLEMENT  OE   THE   TOWN.  49 

back,  carrying  the  two  infants  in  their  arms,  the  other  children 
riding  on  the  horse-sled  with  the  goods.  Mr.  Norton's  family 
was  not  so  large  as  Mr.  Collins's,  though  he  had  several 
children. 

A  year  later,  in  the  fall  of  1792,  Capt.  William  Allen,  also 
from  Martha's  Vineyard,  settled  in  Farmington,  within  two  miles 
of  them,  on  the  farm  now  occupied  by  Obed  N.  Collins,  on  a 
route  from  the  River  Settlement  to  the  westerly  part  of  the 
Gore.  Captain  Allen  continued  to  live  here  until  early  in  the 
spring  of  1798,  when  he  removed  to  land  belonging  to  the 
Plymouth  Company,  east  of  Allen's  Mills,  and  since  known  as 
Allen  Hill. 

Cornelius  Norton,  Jr.,  of  Tisbury,  Mass.,  commenced  clear- 
ing land  on  the  northern  part  of  his  father's  section  of  the 
Gore,  about  the  same  time  that  Mr.  Collins  came,  but  as  he  was 
a  single  man  he  did  not  make  his  permanent  home  there  until 
the  summer  of  1794,  when  he  married  Margaret  J.  Belcher,  a 
daughter  of  Supply  Belcher,  Esq.,  of  Farmington,  and  com- 
menced housekeeping  in  his  log-house.  His  father,  Deacon 
Cornelius  Norton,  moved  with  his  family  into  a  log-house  on 
the  southern  half  of  his  section,  about  the  same  time.  This 
house  stood  but  a  little  distance  to  the  southeast  from  where 
Wesley  N.  Luce  lived  in  1885.  A  small  orchard  is  standing 
near  the  spot,  and  the  limpid  waters  still  bubble  up  from  the 
spring  which  furnished  the  household  supply  for  Mr.  Nor- 
ton's family. 

John  and  Ebenezer  Oakes,  step-sons  of  Jonathan  Knovvlton, 
commenced  a  clearing  on  his  section  of  the  Gore,  just  west  of 
the  road  leading  to  the  Wesley  N.  Luce  farm,  in  1792.  These 
gentlemen  built  a  convenient  log-house,  and,  as  both  were  un- 
married, spent  the  following  winter  there  in  single  blessedness. 
About  the  same  time,  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  acres  from 
the  northeast  corner  of  Mr.  Knowlton's  section  was  sold  to 
Elisha  Lombart.*  This  lot  he  afterward  exchanged  for  one  on 
the  western  part  of  Mr.  Knowlton's  section.      A  stream  of  suffi- 


*  This  name  is  also  spelled    Lumbert,   Lumber,  etc.,  and    is   supposed   to    have 
originally  been  identical  with  the  name  now  spelled   Lambert. 


50  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

cient  size  to  run  a  mill  flowed  through  Mr.  Lombart's  last  men- 
tioned lot,  and  on  this  he  built  a  grist  and  saw-mill.  In  1794, 
Ansel  Norton  bought  Jonathan  Knowlton's  possession  of  John 
Oakes,  and  lived  there  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  18 10. 
In  1795,  Capt.  David  Davis  became  a  permanent  settler  on 
the  southwest  section  of  the  Gore,  on  the  farm  owned  by  the 
late  Alexander  Hillman.  lie  lived  in  a  log-house  until  1803, 
when  he  built  a  large  convenient  two-story  house  which,  for  more 
than  three-fourths  of  a  century,  stood  on  the  place.*  He  was 
a  successful  farmer,  bore  an  excellent  reputation  and  possessed 
considerable  property.  In  1803  he  paid  a  money  tax  of 
$10.36,  it  being  the  highest  tax  paid  by  any  individual  on  the 
(lore.  In  personal  appearance  Capt.  Davis  was  of  command- 
ing carriage,  and  extremely  corpulent  in  his  old  age.  It  is 
claimed  that  he  weighed  nearly  or  quite  350  pounds.  He  died 
Aug.  27,  1837,  aged  78  years. 

THE    LOWELL    STRIP. 

This  tract  of  land  in  Industry  was  a  portion  of  the  grant 
from  the  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts  (see  />.  28),  and  had 
fallen  by  heirship  or  otherwise  to  Francis  Cabot  Lowell,  a  mer- 
chant residing  in  Boston.  It  extended  the  whole  length  of  the 
township  from  east  to  west,  and  was  a  mile  and  a  half  wide. 
Like  the  lands  of  the  Patent,  it  was  settled  without  any  pre- 
liminary survey.  In  1802,  nearly  seven  years  after  the  first 
settlement,  Esquire  Cornelius  Norton,  Jr.,  made  the  survey, 
and  numbered  the  lots  from  one  to  twenty-nine  inclusive. 
Lots  No.  1,  2  and  29  being  in  Stark  and  comprising  that  por- 
tion of  the  town  set  off  and  annexed  to  Industry  in  1822  (see 
A  rj). 

As  nearly  as  the  writer  can  learn,  Jabez  Norton,  Si\,  was  the 
first  settler  on  the  Lowell  Strip.  He  settled  in  town  in  1795, 
on  the  farm  recently  owned  and  occupied  by  Abel  YV.  Spauld- 
ing.  His  lot  was  originally  the  north  half  of  No.  21,  but  the 
farm  has  since  been  greatly  enlarged  by  purchasing  portions  of 


*  This  house  was  destroyed  by  fire  on  Wednesday  P.  M.,  April   iS,  1888. 


SETTLEMENT  OF   THE   TOWN.  51 

adjoining  lots.      His  son,  Sprowel  Norton,  settled   to   the   west 
of  him  on  the  north  half  of  lot  No.  20. 

Abraham  Page,  from  Farmington,  commenced  a  clearing  on 
the  Lowell  Strip,  at  the  head  of  Clear  Water  Pond,  probably 
about  the  same  time  as  Mr.  Norton.  Though  capable  of  per- 
forming a  great  deal  of  labor,  he  was  of  a  roving  disposition 
and  remained  on  his  land   but  a  short  time. 

In  the  fall  of  1 795,  Tristram  Daggett,  having  sold  his  lot 
and  improvements  to  Esq.  Herbert  Boardman,  bought  Page's 
improvements  on  lot  No.  1  1 ,  on  the  Lowell  Strip,  now  known 
as  "  the  Collins  Luce  farm."  On  the  first  day  of  January,  1796, 
Mr.  Daggett  obtained  a  deed  from  Calvin  Boyd,*  of  Farming- 
ton,  purporting  to  convey  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres  Qf  land 
to  include  the  above-mentioned  improvements  of  Page,  the 
consideration  being  thirty-two  dollars.  He  built  a  log-cabin  on 
his  lot,  in  which  he  and  his  family  lived  for  many  years.  This 
house  stood  on  the  west  side  of  the  sucker  brook  and  nearer 
the  pond  than  the  present  one  on  the  farm.  He  sold  to  David 
M.  Luce,  of  New  Vineyard,  and  removed  to  an  adjoining  lot 
which  he  subsequently  sold  to  James  Bailey,  who  in  turn  sold 
to  Benjamin  R.  Rackliff,  of  Georgetown. \ 

Daniel  Luce,  Sr.,  settled  on  lot  No.  17,  about  1796,  and 
several  of  his  sons  and  one  son-in-law  settled  near  him.  Tru- 
man settled  on  lot  No.  18,  joining  his  father's  lot  on  the  east; 
Rowland  on  No.  19,  still  further  to  the  east,  on  the  farm  now 
owned  by  James  T.  True.  Daniel,  Jr.,  married  and  settled  on 
the  western  part  of  his  father's  lot,  which  is  now  (  1892)  owned 
by  James  Edgecomb,  the  eastern  portion  belonging  to  the  heirs 
of  Amos  Stetson,  Jr.  Deacon  Benjamin  Cottle,  a  son-in-law  of 
Mr.  Luce,  settled  on  lot  No.  13,  adjoining  the  New  Vineyard 
Gore,  where  he  lived  until,  in  his  old  age,  he  went  to  live  with 
his  daughter,  Mrs.  David   M.  Luce. 

Captain  Peter  West  took  possession  of  lot   No.  28,  embrac- 


*The  courts  subsequently  decided  that  the  title  of  Mr.  Boyd  and  others  was 
illegal  and  that  Francis  Cabot  Lowell  was  the  legal  owner. 

t  Throughout  this  work  where  no  State  is  mentioned,  the  State  of  Maine  is  gen- 
erally to  be  understood. 


52  HISTORY   OF   INDUSTRY. 

ing  the  site  of  the  village  of  West's  Mills,  which  was  named  in 
honor  of  him.  Capt.  William  Allen  and  Benjamin  Manter 
commenced  a  clearing  for  him  in  1797,  and  felled  two  acres  of 
trees.  He  subsequently  built  a  log-house  and  moved  his  fam- 
ily to  Industry  in  1798.  He  did  not,  however,  obtain  a  deed  of 
his  land,  as  we  learn  from  Allen's  History  (sec  p.  6),  until  1 803. 

Peter  Daggett  was  an  early  settler  on  lot  No.  16,  now  owned 
by  George  Luce,  but  there  is  no  means  of  learning  the  exact 
date  of  his  settlement  in  town.  Mr.  Daggett  purchased  land  in 
New  Vineyard  as  early  as  1793,  and  probably  came  to  the 
District  of  Maine  about  that  time. 

Asa  Conant  settled  on  lot  No.  15  and  built  his  log-house 
on  the  top  of  the  hill  between  George  Luce's  and  Oliver  D. 
Norton's.  The  exact  date  of  his  settlement  is  veiled  in  ob- 
scurity, but  both  his  name  and  that  of  Mr.  Daggett  appear  in 
the  list  of  voters  for  1803. 

James  Eveleth,  Sr.,  came  to  Industry  in  1800  or  perhaps  a 
year  earlier,  and  settled  on  the  Lowell  Strip,  on  land  now  com- 
prising a  portion  of  the  farm  owned  and  occupied  by  Davis 
Look.  Some  of  the  rose-bushes  which  grew  near  his  log-house 
may  still  be  seen. 

John  Marshall  and  sons  came  from  Lewiston,  in  1800,  and 
probably  settled  on  land  now  comprising  a  part  of  the  Davis 
Look  farm,  formerly  owned  by  Samuel  Frost  for  man}-  years. 
Mr.  Marshall  was  a  carpenter  by  trade,  and  in  indigent  cir- 
cumstances. After  living  in  town  a  few  years,  they  all 
moved  away. 

Ammiel  Robbins  also  settled  on  the  Lowell  Strip,  on  lot 
No.  12,  at  the  head  of  Clear  Water  Pond,  and  one  of  his  sons 
on  a  part  of  the  same  lot.  The  orchards  near  their  respective 
dwellings  can  still  be  seen,  though  the  houses  have  long  since 
gone  to  decay.  Simeon  Butler  settled  on  a  small  tract  of 
land  lying  to  the  south  of  lot  No.  12,  which  afterwards,  in  [824, 
passed  into  the  hands  of  Sanders  Luce.  Mr.  Luce  moved  a 
house  on  to  his  land  from  the  Pish  place,  situated  in  the  edge 
of  Farmington,  in  which  he  lived  for  ten  years.  Peter  Tilton 
and    Francis   S.  Rogers  each  lived   in   the  house  alter   Mr.  Luce 


SETTLEMENT  OF  THE   TOWN.  53 

left,    and    it   was    finally   bought    by   Joseph    Collins,    Sr.,   and 
moved  to  "  Federal   Row." 

\()RTH    INDUSTRY. 

This  part  of  the  town  was  first  settled  as  a  portion  of  New 
Vineyard,  and  was  set  off  from  that  town  and  annexed  to  In- 
dustry in  1844  (see  p.  14).  The  first  settler  in  this  portion  of 
the  town  was  Tristram  Daggett,  who  commenced  a  clearing  on 
the  west  half  of  lot  No.  7,  in  1791.*  This  land  now  comprises 
a  portion  of  the  farm  owned  and  occupied  by  Asa  O.  and  Calvin 
B.  Fish,  additions  having  been  made  to  it  by  Esquire  Herbert 
Boardman,  to  whom  Mr.  Daggett  sold  his  possession. 

Capt.  Jeruel  Butler  came  from  Martha's  Vineyard  to  Farm- 
ington,  July  26,  1793.  The  following  year  he  purchased  lot 
No.  9,  in  the  first  range  of  lots  adjoining  the  Lowell  Strip,  and 
recently  owned  by  the  late  John  O.  Rackliff.  The  same  year 
he  felled  trees,  made  a  clearing  and  built  a  log-house.  After 
its  completion,  he  removed  his  furniture  and  provisions  to  his 
new  home  and  made  everything  ready  for  occupancy.  Un- 
fortunately the  house  and  its  contents  were  destroyed  by  fire 
before  Mrs.  Butler  ever  saw  it.  A  second  dwelling  was  immedi- 
ately erected,  by  the  assistance  of  his  neighbors,  on  the  site  of 
the  one  burned,  in  which  he  and  his  family  spent  the  winter  of 
1 794~5-  About  the  same  time  that  Captain  Butler  commenced 
his  clearing,  Henry  Norton,  of  Fdgartown,  Mass.,  obtained  a  title 
to  200  acres  of  land,  it  being  a  part  of  lot  No.  3  in  the  first 
range,  and  is  now  owned  by  Eli  N.  Oliver.  Here  Mr.  Norton 
made  a  clearing  and  built  a  grist-mill,  which  never  proved  of 
an\'  service,  owing  to  its  faulty  construction. 

Ephraim  Gould  Butler,  son  of  Benjamin  and  Sarah  (Gould) 
Butler,  of  Martha's  Vineyard,  came  with  his  family  to  the 
District  of  Maine   in   April,  1792.      His   family  made  a   year's 

*  Win.  Allen  says  (History  of  Industry,  p.  12)  that  Mr.  Daggett  settled  on  lot 
No.  6,  which  he  afterward  sold  to  Charles  Luce.  This  is  erroneous.  He  settled  on 
the  west  half  of  lot  No.  7,  and  sold  to  Esq.  Herbert  Boardman,  Sept.  5,  1795.  Mr. 
Luce  bought  his  land  of  John  Oakes,  July  17,  1795,  as  shown  by  a  deed  recorded  in 
the  Lincoln  County  Registry. 


54  HISTORY  <>/■'  INDUSTRY. 

sojourn  in  Sandy  River  township  (Farmington),  during  which 
time  he  was  probably  engaged  in  making  a  clearing  and  erect- 
ing a  log-cabin  on  his  lot  in  New  Vineyard  township.  This 
lot,  to  which  he  moved  his  family  in  the  spring  of  1793,  was 
No.  1  in  the  first  range,  more  recently  known  as  the  Henry 
Manter  farm.  It  is  now  (1892)  owned  by  the  widow  of  the 
late  William  Lewis.  Mr.  Butler  resided  here  till  i  So  I,  when 
he  removed  to  another  part  of  New  Vineyard. 

Charles  Luce  commenced  a  clearing  on  the  east  half  of  lot 
No.  7,  subsequently  known  as  the  Jeremy  Bean  farm,  in  1795. 
Here  he  made  a  good  farm,  on  which  he  spent  the  remainder  of 
his  life  and  brought  up  a  large  family.  James  Manter  settled 
on  lot  No.  5,  where  James  D.  Badger  now  lives,  about  the  same 
time  as  Mr.  Luce,  and  died  of  "cold  fever"  early  in  the  follow- 
ing winter.  His  sons,  with  the  aid  and  advice  of  their  mother, 
conducted  the  farm  for  many  years  after  the  father's  death. 

Joseph  Smith  and  sons  settled  on  lot  No.  3  in  the  second 
range,  in  1795.  He  died  in  the  following  year,  and  the  farm 
passed  into  the  possession  of  his  son,  Joseph  Warren  Smith. 
There  are  no  buildings  standing  on  the  place  now,  and  the  land 
is  owned   by  Eli   N.  Oliver. 

Asa  Merry  was  an  early  settler  on  lot  No.  1  in  the  second 
range  of  lots.  Here  he  made  an  excellent  farm,  kept  a  large 
stock,  especially  of  cows,  and  became  in  later  years  a  noted 
cheese-maker.     This  farm  is  now  owned  by  Charles  F.  Oliver. 

Esquire  Herbert  Boardman,  as  has  been  previously  stated, 
bought  out  Tristram  Daggett,  in  September,  1795,  and  moved 
his  household  effects  to  his  new  home  on  an  ox-sled  in  the 
month  of  December  following.  He  was  a  man  of  some  means, 
and  greatly  enlarged  his  farm  by  the  purchase  of  adjacent 
lands.  He  lost  heavily  by  the  burning  of  his  buildings  and 
their  contents  on  the  night  of  January  22,  1S24.  The  house 
was  rebuilt,  and  he  continued  to  live  on  the  farm  up  to  the 
time  of  his  death,  which  occurred   in  1S3S. 

John  Daggett,  Sr.,  came  from  Edgartown,  Dukes  County, 
Mass.,  and  settled  on  lot  No.  2  in  the  second  range,  about 
1703—4.     The  deed  of  his  lot,  recorded   in  the   Lincoln  Count)- 


SETTLEMENT  OE   THE   TOWN.  5  5 

Registry,  bears  the  date  of  Feb.  u,  1793.  He  died  a  few 
years  after  coming  to  the  District  of  Maine,  and  his  land  was 
divided  among  his  heirs.  Mr.  Daggett  was  a  miller  by  occupa- 
tion, and  tradition  says,  operated  a  wind-mill  on  the  Vineyard. 
Being  unused  to  the  hardships  of  pioneer  life,  he  was  not  able 
to  withstand  the  exposure  incident  to  his  home  on  the  very 
borders  of  civilization,  hence  his  untimely  death. 


CHAPTER    IV. 

EVENTS  FROM  1S00  TO  1810. 

Condition  of  the  Settlers. — Plantation  (  (rganized. — Town  Incorporated. —  Roads. — 
Karly  Town  Officers.  —  The  Embargo  Act.  —  The  Town  becomes  a  part  of 
Somerset  County,  Etc.,  Etc. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  nineteenth  century  a  bird's-eye- 
view  of  what  now  comprises  the  town  of  Industry  would  have 
revealed  a  vast  expanse  of  forest  dotted  here  and  there  with 
"openings"  made  by  the  axe  of  the  settler.  In  each  of  these 
might  be  seen  an  unpretentious  log-cabin  with  the  smoke  curl- 
ing upward  from  its  rude  chimney  —  the  home  of  the  settler 
and  his  family.  A  rude  hovel  or  cow-house  would  also  be 
seen,  provided  the  occupant  of  the  cabin  was  not  too  poor  to 
own  a  cow,  which  was  not  unfrequently  the  case.  A  closer 
acquaintance  with  these  cabin  homes  and  the  families  that  oc- 
cupied them  would  have  told  a  story  of  toil  and  want,  of  which 
but  few  have  any  conception.  Clothing  of  the  poorest  quality 
and  insufficient  in  quantity,  children  clothed  in  rags  and  bare- 
footed even  in  the  coldest  weather,  food  of  the  coarsest  kind 
and  sometimes  none  at  all,  were  a  few  of  the  many  privations 
and  hardships  incident  to  the  pioneer  life  of  the  early  settler 
and   his  family  in    Industry. 

In  1800  and  for  several  years  thereafter,  the  population  of 
the  town  increased  very  rapidly  by  reason  of  immigration. 
Ann  nig  man)- others  who  moved  into  town  in  1800,  was  Benja- 
min Jewett  and  family,  who  came  from  Shapleigh,  York  County, 
Maine,  in  March  of  that  year,  and  settled  on  lot  No.  42  adjoin- 
ing Alvin  Howes's  lot  on  the  east.      His  family  and  goods  were 


EVENTS  FROM   1800    TO    1S10.  5/ 

drawn  by  a  four-ox  team,  which  crossed  the  Androscoggin 
River  on  the  ice  below  Lewiston  Falls.  The  only  building  in 
the  cities  of  Lewiston  and  Auburn  at  that  time,  was  a  small 
mill  on  the  Auburn  side  of  the  river.  There  were  in  fact  no 
large  settlements  in  the  District  of  Maine  at  that  time,  save  on 
the  sea-coast. 

James  Winslow,  from  Farmington,  formerly  of  Gardiner, 
now  Pittston,  was  another  settler  who  came  the  same  year  as 
Mr.  Jewett.*  He  took  up  lot  No.  45,  containing  one  hundred 
acres,  and  here  he  spent  the  whole  of  his  life.  The  excellent 
farm  which  he  cleared  was  set  off  in  part  to  New  Sharon  in 
1852,  and  is  now  owned  and  occupied  by  his  granddaughter, 
Mrs.  Betsey  W.  Stone,  relict  of  the  late  Franklin  Stone  of  that 
town. 

Zephaniah  Luce,  from  Martha's  Vineyard,  settled  on  lot  No. 
31,  in  1801,  but  being  in  indigent  circumstances,  did  not  gain 
a  title  to  the  land.  He  removed  to  Farmington,  prior  to  the 
incorporation  of  the  town,  and  resided  for  some  years  on  the 
"  Fish  place "  near  Industry  line.  The  lot  on  which  he  first 
settled  is  now  owned  by  Charles  S.  Rackliff. 

Lemuel  Collins,  Jr.,  married  in  December,  1800,  and  the 
following  year  took  up  lot  No.  49,  adjoining  his  father  on  the 
south.  This  land  is  now  owned  and  occupied  by  William  H. 
Manter  of  New  Sharon,  it  having  been  included  in  Industry's 
cession  to  that  town  in  1852. 

Nathaniel  Chapman,  whom  Fsq.  William  Allen  calls  one  of 
the  earliest  settlers  in  town,  settled  on  a  part  of  Joseph  Taylor's 
lot,  No.  6$,  in  1 80 1.  He  was  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  and  was 
granted  a  pension  by  the  government.  He  died  in  Kingfield, 
to  which  town  he  removed  after  Industry  was  incorporated. 

In  1802,  David  Maxwell,  from  Wells,  Me.,  settled  on  lot 
No.  3,  a  near  neighbor  of  Nathaniel  Willard,  Jonathan  Bunker, 
James  Thompson  and  others  in  that  vicinity.  Jacob  Matthews, 
from    Mt.    Vernon,    who    settled    on    lot   No.   9,   adjoining    Zoe 


*  Wm.  Allen,  Esq.,  (Hist,  of  Industry,  p.  J  J )  gives  the  date  of  Mr.  Winslow's 
settlement  as  1799.  The  date  here  given  is  from  the  official  report  of  the  Appraising 
Commission. 


5 8  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

Withee  on  the  cast,  also  came  in  1802.  The  following  year  he 
married  a  daughter  of  Mr.  Withee,  and  in  1807  sold  his  pos- 
session to  Moses  Tolman,  who  came  to  Industry  from  New 
Sharon.  This  lot  comprises  the  south  part  of  the  farm  occu- 
pied by  the  late  John  Tolman.  Benjamin  Stevens  was  another 
settler  who  came  in  1802,  and  took  up  lot  No.  10,  which  he 
sold  to  Moses  Tolman  in  1807,  but  whither  he  went  or  whence 
he  came  the  writer  has  been  unable  to  learn. 

Ebenezer  Stevens  was  Benjamin's  nearest  neighbor  on  the 
north.  He  also  came  in  1802,  and  settled  on  lot  No.  11.  It  is 
supposed  that  these  two  gentlemen  were  in  some  way  related, 
as  well  as  John  B.  Stevens,  whose  lot  joined  theirs  on  the  east. 
Samuel  Stevens,  a  cooper  by  trade,  settled  on  lot  No.  12, 
prior  to  the  incorporation  of  the  town.  Like  many  of  the 
early  settlers,  he  had  served  in  the  Continental  Army  and  was 
in  straitened  pecuniary  circumstances.  Being  unable  to  pay  for 
his  land,  he  removed  to  lot  R,  by  New  Sharon  line,  and  after- 
ward   left  town. 

DeHave  Norton,  from  Farmington,  settled  on  lot  No.  40,  in 

1802,  lying  south  and  west  of  Withee's  Corner.  He  was  a 
young  man,  the  son  of  Zachariah  and  Hannah  (Smith)  Norton 
of  Farmington,  and  although  his  name  appears  among  the 
petitioners   for   incorporation   of  the   town   of  Industry  early  in 

1803,  nothing  further  is  known  concerning  his  residence  in 
Industry. 

Aside  from  the  arrival  of  new  settlers,  but  little  of  impor- 
tance occurred  in  the  history  of  the  settlement  until  1802,  when 
a  State  tax  of  forty-four  dollars,  and  a  county  tax  of  nearly  an 
equal  amount,  was  assessed  on  the  inhabitants.  The  sheriff 
was  directed  to  serve  the  warrants  on  some  principal  inhabitant 
who  was  able  to  pay  the  amount  if  he  did  not  cause  the  tax  to 
be  duly  assessed.  After  passing  through  both  parts  of  the  set- 
tlement and  failing  to  find  any  such  principal  inhabitant,  he 
decided  to  leave  the  warrants  with  William  Allen,  Jr.,  who  had 
just  attained  his  majority.  Mr.  Allen  procured  a  warrant  from 
a  lustice  of  the  Peace,  for  calling  a  plantation  meeting,  and  a 
legal  organization  was  thus  secured.      In   extent,  the   plantation 


EVENTS  FROM   1800   TO    181  o.  59 

embraced  all  the  lands  comprising  the  towns  of  Industry  and 
Mercer  as  subsequently  incorporated,  together  with  a  part  of 
the  town  of  Smithfield,  and  to  the  whole  was  given  the  name 
of  Industry  Plantation.  The  manner  in  which  the  plantation 
received  its  name,  notwithstanding  every  effort  of  the  author  to 
settle  the  fact,  is  still  a  mooted  question.  William  Allen  states  in 
his  history  of  the  town  (see  p.  //),  that  "At  a  meeting  for  the 
choice  of  these  [militia]  officers  [in  the  winter  of  1799],  my 
father  proposed  the  name  of  Industry  for  the  military  territory, 
which  was  adopted  by  the  company,  and  when  the  westerly 
portion  of  the  territory  was  incorporated  retained  the  name." 
There  is  also  a  tradition  among  the  Winslows  (see  Hanson's 
History  of  Gardiner  and  Pittston,  p.  66)  that  the  plantation 
received  its  name  from  the  wife  of  Capt.  John  Thompson, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Betsey  Winslow.  This  tradition  runs 
as  follows:  " When  the  town*  was  about  being  incorporated, 
Mr.  Thompson  said  to  his  wife  as  he  was  leaving  home,  'What 
shall  we  call  the  new  town?'  'Name  it  for  the  character  of  the 
people,'  she  replied,  'call  it  Industry.'  He  proposed  the  name 
and   it  was  accepted." 

The  inhabitants  were  warned  to  meet  at  the  dwelling-house 
of  Lieut.  Ambrose  Arnold,  who  lived  in  that  part  of  the  planta- 
tion subsequently  incorporated  as  the  town  of  Mercer.  The 
organization  was  perfected  by  the  election  of  the  following 
officers:  Clerk,  Nahum  Baldwin  ;  Assessors,  Nahum  Baldwin, 
Luther  Burr  and  William  Allen,  Jr.  All  these  with  the  excep- 
tion of  Mr.  Allen  were  chosen  from  the  Mercer  portion  of  the 
settlement,  but  the  following  year  the  voters  from  the  back 
settlement,  as  the  present  town  of  Industry  was  then  called, 
outnumbered  the  others,  and  consequently  chose  all  the  offi- 
cers from  their  own  locality.  The  plantation  also  voted  to  raise 
a  certain  sum  of  money  to  buy  powder  for  muster  and  to  defray 


*  The  writer  is  of  the  opinion  that  it  was  on  the  organization  of  the  plantation, 
instead  of  the  incorporation  of  the  town,  that  is  here  meant.  Osgood  Carlton's  Map 
of  Maine,  published  prior  t<>  the  incorporation  of  the  town,  gives  this  territory  the 
name  of  Industry  Plantation,  hence  Mr.  Hanson  must  have  been  slightly  in  error  as 
to  time. 


60  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

other  necessary  expenses ;  and  Samuel  Hinkley  was  chosen 
treasurer. 

The  next  event  of  importance  in  the  history  of  the  settle- 
ment was  the  survey  of  the  township  (see  p.  Jj)  in  the  month 
of  September,  [802.  No  little  excitement  and  anxiety  prevailed 
among  the  settlers  regarding  this  survey  and  the  subsequent 
arbitration  to  which  it  was  a  preliminary  measure.  At  that 
time,  no  person  residing  on  the  lands  of  the  Plymouth  Coin- 
pan}'  had  any  title  to  his  land,  and  the  usage  they  would  receive 
at  the  hands  of  the  Commission  (see  p.  32)  promised  to  be 
anything  but  favorable.  When  the  commissioners  met  at 
Augusta,  in  October,  after  the  completion  of  the  survey,  the 
worst  fears  of  the  settlers  became  a  reality.  Exorbitant  prices 
were  affixed  to  the  lots  of  the  settlers,  which  those  who  re- 
mained were  compelled  to  pay,  while  many  of  the  poorer  class 
were  forced  to  abandon  their  homes  and  improvements  for 
want  of  the  necessary  funds  to  purchase.* 

Hut  little  is  known  concerning  the  doings  of  the  plantation 
at  its  second  annual  meeting,  aside  from  the  fact  that  all  the 
officers  were  chosen  from  the  back  settlement,  as  has  already 
been  stated,  and  that  James  Thompson,  Esq.,  was  elected  clerk. 
Probably  William  Allen,  Jr.,  was  re-elected  as  one  of  the  asses- 
sors, but  as  the  plantation  records  are  not  to  be  found,  the  fact 
cannot  be  established  with  absolute  certainty. 

Esquire  Allen  says:  "At  the  plantation  meeting  on  the 
first  Monday  of  April,  1803,  the  inhabitants  for  the  first  time 
gave  in  their  votes  for  governor,  all  for  Caleb  Strong,  except 
three,  who  voted  for  Gerry  (these  voters  not  knowing  the 
christian  name  of  the  candidate ),  and  were  returned  accord- 
ingly. The  next  year  our  Republicans,  as  the  supporters  of  Mr. 
Gerry  were  called,  were  seasonably  furnished  with  the  Argus, 
which    had   then   been  established   as   a    Republican   paper,  and 


*The  appraisal  of  the  forty-eight  lots  in  Industry  was  a  surprise  to  all.  Bui 
twelve  l"ts  "lit  of  this  number  were  valued  at  less  than  one  dollar  per  acre;  tin-  re- 
maining thirty-six  ranging  in  price  from  one  dollar  to  two  dollars  and  twenty  cents 
per  acre. 


EVENTS  FROM   1800    TO    1810.  61 

were  then,  as  ever  after,  prepared   to  give  in  their  votes  accord- 
ing to  order." 

INCORPORATION    OF   THE   TOWN. 

Early  in  the  year  1803,  an  effort  was  made  to  incorporate 
that  portion  of  the  Industry  Plantation  King  west  of  Stark  and 
commonly  known  as  the  back  settlement,  to  distinguish  it  from 
the  other  portion  of  the  plantation,  which  was  called  the  river 
settlement.  By  a  careful  enumeration  it  was  found  that  the 
back  settlement  contained  more  than  fifty  ratable  polls,  and  that 
its  valuation  when  compared  with  the  river  settlement  was  as 
twenty-four  is  to  twenty,  or  six-elevenths  of  the  entire  planta- 
tion according  to  the  valuation  of  1800.  At  the  earnest  re- 
quest of  James  Thompson,  the  plantation  clerk,  and  others, 
William  Allen,  Jr.,  prepared  the  following  petition  to  the  Gen- 
eral Court  [Legislature]  of  Massachusetts,  then  in  session  at 
Boston  : 

To  the  Honorable  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives,  of  the  Com- 
monwealth of  Massachusetts  in  General  Court  assembled  in  /any, 
1803. 

The  petition  of  the  subscribers,  inhabitants  of  the  north  part  of  the 
Plantation  of  Industry,  in  the  County  of  Kennebec,  respectfully  sheweth 
that  they  are  debarred  from  many  priviledges  which  they  would  enjoy  if 
they  were  incorporated  into  a  town,  such  as  the  want  of  schools,  high- 
ways, etc. 

That  the  said  Plantation  is  in  two  distinct  settlements  which  are  in 
no  way  connected  by  roads  and  are  not  situated  so  as  to  form  a  town  to 
commode  the  inhabitants  as  will  appear  by  examining  the  map  of  the 
District  of  Maine,  it  being  formed  by  two  triangles,  one  to  the  west  and 
the  other  to  the  south  of  the  town  of  Starks. 

That  on  account  of  their  peculiar  situation  they  are  in  a  great 
measure  detached  from  and  suffer  great  inconveniences  by  being  con- 
nected with  the  south  part  in  attending  Plantation  meetings  which  are 
holden  sometimes  nine  miles  from  some  of  your  petitioners.  That  the 
north  part  of  said  Plantation  bounded  as  follows  :  Beginning  at  the  S. 
W.  Cor.  of  Starks  running  south  1-2  mile  to  New  Sharon,  thence  N.  W. 
1»\  said  New  Sharon  5  miles,  thence  N.  3  miles  to  the  New  Vineyard, 
thence   E.  by  said   New  Vineyard  4  miles  to  the   N.  \Y.  Cor.  of  Starks, 


62 


HISTORY    OF    INDUSTRY. 


thence  south  by  the  west  line  of  Starks  6  miles  to  the  first  mentioned 
boundary,  containing  about  50  ratable  polls  whose  inconveniences  would 
be  alleviated  by  being  set  off  from  the  rest  of  the  Plantation.  And 
therefore  your  petitioners  earnestly  solicit  the  Hon.  Legislature  to  take 
the  premises  into  their  wise  consideration  and  by  setting  off  the  afore- 
said tract  from  the  rest  of  the  Plantation  of  Industry,  incorporate  the 
same  into  a  town  by  the  name  of  Industry  vested  with  those  legal  rights 
and  priviledges  which  are  allowed  to  other  towns  in  the  Commonwealth. 
And  as  in  duty  bound  will  ever  pray.      [Signed.] 


Levi  Greenleaf. 

John  Thompson. 
DeHave  Norton. 
Trueman  Allen. 
Atkins  Ellis. 
Thomas  Johnson. 
Benj'n  Burgess. 
1  )aniel  Luce. 
Lemuel  Collins. 
James  Heard. 
Lemuel  Coslins. 
feremiah  Bean. 
Ebraim  Page, 
benjamin  ( 'ottel. 
Rolin  Luce. 
Jabez  Norton. 
Jabez  Norton.  Jr. 
Rowlon  lane.' 
Benjamin  ( 'ottle.* 
Trustom    1  )ogit.* 
Abraham  I 'age.* 
Archelaus  Luce. 
Samuel  Willard. 


Jam'es  Thompson. 
William  Allen,  Jr. 
Zoe  Withee. 
Jacob  Mathews. 
John  Thompson.* 
Levi  Willard. 
John  B.  Stevens. 
Eben'r  Stevens. 
Bartlett  Allen, 
benjamin  Stevens. 
]  )avid  Maxwell. 
Sam 'I  Brown. 
William  Ladd. 
Nathaniel  Willard. 
John  Thompson.  Jr. 
Shubael  Crowel. 
James  Johnson. 
Joseph  Moody. 
Ephraim  Moody. 
I  )aniel  Moody. 
Will'm  Allen. 
James  Winslow. 
John  Webber. 


This  petition  having  been  duly  presented,  passed  the  House 
of  Representatives  on  the  [8th  day  of  June,  1803,  and  on  the 
20th,  having  passed  the  Senate  and  received  the  signature  of 
the  governor,  Caleb  Strong,  the  town  of  Industry  was  declared 
legally  incorporated. 


*  These,  and  perhaps  other  names,  were  added  apparently  to  swell  the  petition. 


EVENTS  FROM   1S00    TO    1810.  63 

When  it  was  definitely  known  that  the  inhabitants  of  Indus- 
try Plantation  were  to  petition  the  General  Court  for  incorpora- 
tion, the  settlers  living  in  the  northern  part  of  New  Sharon  also 
prepared  and  forwarded  a  petition  asking  that  the  north  part  of 
that  town  be  set  off  and  incorporated  as  a  part  of  the  new 
town  of  Industry.  This  petition,  which  is  still  preserved  in  the 
archives  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts,  reads  as 
follows : 

To  the  Honorable  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  General 
Court  to  be  holden  at  Boston,  January,  1803. 

We,  your  Petitioners,  Inhabitants  of  the  north  part  of  the  Town  of 
New  Sharon,  in  the  County  of  Kennebec,  humbly  show  : 

That,  whereas  the  remote  situation  of  our  habitations  from  the  centre 
of  sd.  town,  the  unimproved  state  of  a  large  tract  of  land  lying  between 
us  and  Sandy  River,  the  badness  of  the  road  through  sd.  tract,  in  which 
we  have  to  pass,  and  the  intervention  of  sd.  River,  which  we  have  to 
cross,  to  get  to  sd.  centre  render  it  inconvenient  for  us  to  remain  in  our 
present  state,  attached  to  sd.  Town  in  respect  to  corporation. 

And  whereas  the  Inhabitants  of  the  northwest  part  of  a  Plantation 
called  Industry,  situate  in  the  northwest  extremity  of  the  Plymouth 
claim,  and  bounded  eastward  by  Starks  and  the  northward  by  New  Vine- 
yard have  petitioned  the  General  Court  that  sd.  northwest  part  of  sd. 
Plantation  be  incorporated  into  a  Town. 

We  therefore  pray  your  Honors  to  detach  from  New  Sharon  sd. 
North  part,  bounded  as  follows,  viz  :  Beginning  at  the  southmost  corner 
of  Lot  No.  65  in  New  Sharon  aforesaid,  on  the  line  between  sd.  Town 
and  Farmington.  Thence  north  by  sd.  line  about  4  miles  and  64  rods, 
to  Clear  Water  Pond.  Thence  southward  and  eastward  by  sd.  Pond  to 
the  line  between  New  Sharon  and  the  Plymouth  Claim.  Thence  south 
45  degrees  East  by  sd.  line  about  4  miles,  2S4  rods  to  the  northmost 
corner  of  lot  No.  17  in  New  Sharon  being  near  the  southmost  point  of 
that  part  of  Industry  before  mentioned,  which  the  inhabitants  thereof 
have  petitioned  to  be  incorporated.  Thence  south  45  degrees,  west 
between  lots  No.  17  and  25,  100  rods.  Thence  north  45  degrees,  west 
between  lots  No.  24  and  25,  163  rods.  Thence  south  45  degrees,  west 
between  lots  No.  24  and  23,  100  rods.  Thence  north  45  degrees,  west 
163  rods  to  the  westmost  corner  of  lot  No.  32.  Thence  south  45 
degrees,  west  200  rods  to  the  southmost  corner  of  lot  No.  40.  Thence 
north  45   degrees,  west  164  rods  to  the  eastmost  corner  of  lot  No.  50. 


64  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

Thence  south  45  degrees,  west  200  rods  to  the  southmost  corner  of  lot 
No.  49.  Thence  north  45  degrees,  wesl  [63  rods  to  the  southmost 
corner  of  lot  No.  59.  Thence  south  45  degrees,  west  200  rods  to  the 
southmost  corner  of  lot  No.  57.  Thence  north  45  degrees,  wesl  163 
rods  to  the  line  of  lot  No.  65.  Thence  south  45  degrees,  west  ioo  rods 
to  the  bounds  first  mentioned,  bring  nearly  in  a  west  direction  from  the 
southmost  point  of  the  northwest  part  of  Industry  above  mentioned 
which  is  about  1  12  rods  south  of  the  southwest  corner  of  Starks.  And 
annex  to  and  incorporate  sd.  north  part  of  New  Sharon  with  the  inhabi- 
tants thereon  with  sd.  northwest  part  of  Industry  into  one  Town. 
We  your  humble  Petitioners  as  in  duty  bound  ever  pray. 

Joshua  Bullen.  Oliver  Willard. 

Joseph  Willard.  John  Goar. 

Daniel  Gould.  Elijah  Peeas. 

John  Rawlings.  Jephah  Coburn. 

Ebenezer  Weeks.  John  Winslow. 

An  attested  excerpt  from  the  plantation  records  accom- 
panied the  petition,  showing  that  the  inhabitants  of  the  pro- 
posed new  town  of  Industry  favored  the  measure.  The 
petition  was,  as  one  would  naturally  infer,  strongly  opposed  by 
the  inhabitants  of  New  Sharon  not  directly  interested  in  the 
movement,  consequently  the  legislative  action  was  unfavorable 
for  the  petitioners. 

The  act  of  incorporation  designated  Samuel  Prescott,  Esq., 
of  New  Sharon,  as  the  justice  to  issue  the  warrant  for  calling 
the  first  meeting  of  the  inhabitants.  This  instrument  bore  the 
date  of  September  24,  1S03,  and  was  directed  to  James  Thomp- 
son, formerly  plantation  clerk.  The  inhabitants  met  agreeably 
to  the  call,  at  the  dwelling-house  of  Capt.  William  Allen,  on  the 
20th  day  of  October,  at  ten  o'clock  in  the  forenoon,  and  pro- 
ceeded to  perfect  their  organization  by  the  choice  of  the  follow- 
ing officers:  Moderator,  James  Thompson;  Clerk,  William 
Allen,  Sr. ;  Selectmen,  Assessors  and  Overseers  of  the  Poor, 
William  Allen,  Jr.,  Peter  West  and  Daniel  Luce;  Treasurer, 
James  Thompson;  Constable  and  Collector,  Sprowel  Norton. 
Five  highway  surveyors  were  elected,  who  were  also  constituted 
a   school    committee.      Among   other   officers   elected   were   two 


EVENTS  FROM   1S00    TO    1S10. 


65 


tithing-men,  five  hog-reeves,  two  field-drivers,  pound-keeper, 
etc.  After  the  election  of  officers,  the  meeting  adjourned  until 
November  14th,  to  meet  at  the  dwelling-house  of  Joseph 
Moody.  The  following  is  the  official  list  of  voters  for  1803,  as 
prepared  by  the  municipal  officers  of  the  town  of  Industry: 


Allen,  Bartlett. 
Allen,  William. 
Allen,  William,  Jr. 
Bradbury,  Paul. 
Brown,  Joseph. 
Brown,  Samuel. 
Bunker,  Jonathan. 
Burgess,  Benjamin. 
Chapman,  Nathaniel. 
Coffin,  John. 
Conant,  Asa. 
Collins,  Lemuel. 
Collins,  Lemuel,  }r. 
Cottle,  Benjamin. 
Crompton,  Samuel. 
Daggett,  Peter. 
Daggett,  Tristram. 
Ellis,  Atkins. 
Eveleth,  James. 
Greenleaf,  Levi. 
Howes,  Alvin. 
Huston.  John. 
Jewett,  Benjamin. 
Johnson,  Abraham. 
Johnson,  James. 
Johnson,  Thomas. 
Knowlton,  Jonathan. 
Ladd,  William. 
Luee,  Daniel. 
Luce,  Daniel,  Jr. 
Luce,  Rowland. 

In    1802   William    Read 
from  Waterville  through  the 


Luce,  Truman. 
Moody,  Ephraim. 
Moody,  Joseph. 
Marshall,  John. 
Mathews.  Joseph. 
Norton,  Jabez. 
Norton,  Jabez,  Jr. 
Norton,  Sprowel. 
Page,  Abraham. 
Pike,  Joshua. 
Bobbins.  Ammiel. 
Robbins,  Ammiel,  Jr. 
Robbins,  Elijah. 
Stevens,  Ebenezer. 
Stevens,  John. 
Stevens,  Samuel. 
Thompson,  James. 
Thompson,  John. 
Thompson,  John,  2d. 
Webber,  John. 
West,  Peter. 
West,  Peter.  Jr. 
Willard,  Levi. 
Willard,  Nathaniel. 
Willard,  Samuel. 
Williamson,  Ebenezer. 
Williamson,  Jonathan. 
Withee,  Zoe. 
Witham,  Peter. 
Winslow,  James. 

[Total  61]. 

ROADS. 

and   others   laid   out  a  county  road 

centre-of  Stark  to  Withee's  Corner 


66  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

in  Industry;  thence  by  Weeks's  Mills  to  Farmington.  A  year 
later  a  branch  road  was  laid  out  by  them  from  Withee's  Corner 
over  the  Allen  hill  and  by  Allen's  Mills,  to  intersect  the  road 
from  the  New  Vineyard  Gore  at  the  Rufus  Allen  place,  now 
(1892)  owned  by  John  Furbush.  Immediately  after  the  in- 
corporation of  the  town,  in  1803,  the  selectmen  proceeded  to 
lay  out  roads  as  follows:  One  from  the  corner  to  the  west, 
from  where  Asa  Q.  and  Calvin  B,  Fish  now  live,  to  Goodridge's 
Corner.  One  from  the  New  Vineyard  line  southerly  by  West's 
Mills  to  Withee's  Corner ;  and  a  third  from  Thompson's  Cor- 
ner westerly  four  hundred  rods  over  Bannock  Hill  to  intersect 
the  road  leading  to  Goodridge's  Corner,  near  where  Thomas  F. 
Norton  formerly  lived.  Also  from  the  forementioned  corner 
near  Asa  O.  and  Calvin  B.  Fish's  in  a  southwesterly  direction 
over  a  wing  of  the  mountain  to  the  Collins  place,  now  owned 
and  occupied   by  John  Vehue. 

On  the  10th  day  of  June,  1 804,  a  road  or  town-way  was 
laid  out  by  the  selectmen,  commencing  near  where  William  L. 
Rackliff  now  lives  and  running  northerly  by  the  residence  of 
William  D.  Norton,  to  intersect  the  town  road  near  "the  Deacon 
Cottle  Burying-Ground." 

(  )n  the  30th  day  of  March,  I  805,  a  committee,  consisting  of 
William  Allen,  Jr.,  and  Capt.  John  Thompson,  laid  out  a  road 
from  the  count)'  road  near  James  Winslow's  and  Samuel  Cromp- 
ton's,  in  a  northerly  direction  over  Howes  Hill,  to  intersect  the 
branch  county  road  near  what   is  known  as  Goodridge's  Corner. 

In  1808,  a  road  was  laid  out  from  the  east  line  of  the  farm 
now  owned  by  the  heirs  of  Amos  Stetson,  Jr.,  southerly  until  it 
struck  the  town  road  at  the  burying-ground  near  the  late  resi- 
dence of  Andrew  Tibbetts.  This,  as  well  as  the  road  over  Ban- 
nock Hill,  was  extensively  traveled  for  man}'  years,  but  in  the 
course  of  time  the  title  of  travel  changed  to  other  roads  and 
both  have  since  been  discontinued.* 


*The  southern  portion  of  this  road  was  discontinued  by  a  vote  of  the  town  March 
2,  1868.  At  which  time  a  private  way  previously  laid  out  for  the  accommodation  of 
G.  Frank  Woodcock,  the  only  resident  on  the  road  at  that  time,  was  accepted.  The 
remaining  northern  portion  was  discontinued  March  5,  1877. 


EVENTS  FROM  1800    TO   1810.  67 

There  was  also  laid  out,  during  the  same  year,  a  road  be- 
ginning at  the  county  road  leading  from  Waterville  to  Farm- 
ington  and  running  northerly  parallel  with  Stark  line  to  the 
residence  of  Capt.  John  Thompson;  thence  in  such  a  direction 
as  to  strike  the  town  road  from  West's  Mills  to  Withee's  Corner 
at  a  point  where  the  Hayes  Hill  road  intersects  it,  just  south 
from  where  George  W.  Johnson  now  lives.  That  portion  of 
the  road  lying  between  the  dwelling  of  Captain  Thompson  and 
the  Hayes  Hill  road  was  after  some  years  discontinued.*  An- 
other road  was  laid  out  the  same  year  running  easterly  and 
southerly  from  James  Thompson's  corner  to  intersect  the  above 
mentioned  road  near  the  residence  of  Capt.  John  Thompson. 

After  the  roads  laid  out  by  the  selectmen  in  1803  had  been 
accepted,  the  town  was  divided  into  five  highway  districts,  and 
William  Allen,  Sr.,  Benjamin  Cottle,  John  Thompson,  Abraham 
Johnson  and  Levi  Greenleaf  were  elected  surveyors.  The 
selectmen  were  instructed  by  the  town  to  petition  the  General 
Court  to  be  allowed  the  privilege  of  appropriating  the  sum 
assessed  on  the  town  by  the  State,  for  the  opening  of  these 
roads.  At  their  annual  meeting  in  1804,  the  inhabitants  voted 
to  raise  $800  for  the  opening  and  repair  of  these  roads,  and 
fixed  the  compensation  of  men  and  oxen  at  twelve  and  one- 
half  cents  per  hour.  A  highway  tax  equal  in  amount  to  that 
of   1804,  was  raised   the  succeeding  year. 

The  early  settlers  upon  whom  devolved  "the  duties  of  trans- 
acting the  business  of  the  town,  though  not  having  had  the 
educational  advantages  which  are  now  enjoyed,  were  neverthe- 
less men  whose  names  were  the  very  synonyms  of  honest}'  and 
integrity.  To  these  sterling  qualities  was  largely  due  the 
eminently  satisfactory  and  prudent  manner  in  which  the  early 
affairs  of  the  town  were  conducted.  Plain  and  simple  in  their 
habits  of  life,  their  modes  of  expression  were   often   novel   and 


*  Although  trees  and  bushes  have  long  since  obliterated  the  discontinued  road, 
the  bridge  abutments  on  Thompson  brook  still  remain.  Many  regard  this  stone- 
work as  a  part  of  the  dam  built  by  Capt.  John  Thompson,  early  in  the  present  century, 
to  augment  the  water  supply  of  his  mill.  A  careful  inspection  of  the  structure  by  any- 
one conversant  with  dam  and  bridge-building  will  convince  at  once  of  the  incorrect- 
ness of  the  prevailing  opinion. 


68  HISTORY    OF   INDUSTRY. 

unique.  The  following  entry  appears  among  the  early  records 
of  the  doings  of  the  town:  "Voted,  that  those  who  prayed 
for  an  abatement  of  tax,  by  Peter  Daggett,  be  indulged  a  while 
longer."  This  would  seem  rather  an  unusual  manner  of  abat- 
ing a  tax  to  the  average  voter  of  to-day,  and  one  which  gave  the 
residents  of  Mr.  Daggett's  district  considerable  liberty,  yet  the 
writer  has  sufficient  reasons  for  believing  that  this  liberty  was 
not  abused.  The  town,  according  to  the  records,  voted  "to 
"except"  as  well  as  accept  roads  laid  out  by  the  selectmen,  and 
in  one  instance  the  clerk,  in  mentioning  the  Commonwealth  of 
Massachusetts,  makes  the  entry  "the  Commonwealth  of  Massa- 
cutist." 

At  the  annual  meeting  in  1804,  held  at  the  house  of  John 
Patterson,  William  Allen,  Jr.,  was  re-elected  chairman  of  the 
hoard  of  selectmen,  but  Captain  West  and  Daniel  Luce  were 
dropped.  Captain  West,  however,  was  elected  treasurer,  as  a 
successor  to  James  Thompson,  and  held  the  office  for  one  year, 
and  in  1806  he  was  elected  chairman  of  the  board.  Rowland 
Luce  was  chosen  constable  and  collector,  and  his  compensation 
was  fixed  at  nine  cents  on  a  dollar  for  collecting".  The  law 
specified  that  a  settler,  to  be  a  legal  voter  for  governor,  must 
be  "a  freeholder  or  inhabitant  of  the  town  for  the  space  of  one 
year  next  preceding,  having  a  freehold  estate  within  said  town 
of  the  annual  income  of  ten  dollars  or  any  estate  of  the  value 
of  two  hundred  dollars." 

Prior  to  1808  the  town  meetings  were  held  at  the  houses  of 
divers  inhabitants,  but  during  the  summer  of  1807,  a  school- 
house  having  been  erected  near  Goodridge's  Corner,  the  inhabi- 
tants were  warned  to  meet  at  that  place  on  the  4th  day  of 
April,  1808,  to  give  in  their  votes  for  governor,  lieutenant- 
governor,  senator,  etc. 

About    this    time   the   evil    effects   of    the   embargo,*  which 


*  This  was  a  retaliatory  measure  adopted  by  President  [efferson  in  December, 
1807.  The  immediate  effect  of  this  measure  was  to  throw  a  large  number  ol  sailors 
out  of  employment.  Skillful  navigators  w  ere  glad  to  labor  in  the  hayfield  for  the  small 
sum  ol  S12  per  month.  Merchandise  of  all  kinds  became  very  dear,  and  none  felt 
<  ts  more  keenly  than  did  those  living  on  the  borders  ol'  civilization.  The  act 
was  repealed  in  February,  [809. 


EVENTS  FROM   1S00    TO    1810.  69 

completely  suspended  all  commercial  intercourse,  begun  to  be 
heavily  felt,  even  in  Industry,  and  a  special  town  meeting  was 
called  "to  consider  the  expediency  of  petitioning  the  President 
of  the  United  States  to  remove  the  embargo."  The  people 
met  on  the  5th  day  of  August,  1 808,  and  after  due  deliberation, 
the  proposition  was  deemed  inexpedient. 

Up  to  Feb.  20,  1799,  the  lands  of  Industry  comprised  a 
part  of  Lincoln  Count)',  but  on  that  date  it  was  included  in  the 
concession  of  Lincoln  to  form  the  new  County  of  Kennebec. 
Later,  when  an  effort  was  being  made  to  establish  the  County 
of  Somerset,  the  inhabitants  were  generally  opposed  to  the 
measure,  and  the  selectmen  were  instructed  to  petition  the 
General  Court,  asking  that  Industry  be  allowed  to  remain  in 
Kennebec  County.  Notwithstanding  this,  the  town  became  a 
part  of  Somerset  County,  on  its  incorporation,  March  1,  1809. 

So  much  difference  existed  between  the  prices  of  various 
articles  of  household  use  and  convenience  in  1808  and  at  the 
present  time  [1892],  that  the  author  takes  the  liberty  to  pre- 
sent herewith  a  comparative  price-current,  which  renders  these 
differences  apparent  at  a  glance.  The  prices  in  the  left-hand 
column  were  copied  from  an  old  day-book  kept  in  1808,  and  in 
nearly  every  instance  the  sales  were  made  to  parties  residing  in 
Industry.  The  sleeve  links,  of  which  but  one  pair  were  sold  on 
credit  during  the  year,  were  sold  to  Esquire  Cornelius  Norton, 
and  it  is  doubtful  if  any  one  but  a  country  squire  could  afford 
such  ornaments  in  those  early  times.  The  calico  was  purchased 
by  Joseph  Collins  who,  as  well  as  Squire  Norton,  lived  on  "the 
Gore."  Among  other  purchasers  were  Samuel  Mason,  Abner 
Norton,  Abner  C.  Ames,  Isaac  Norton,  Zebulon  Manter,  etc. : 


1892. 


Molasses,  per  gallon, 
Salt,  per  bushel, 
Tobacco,  per  lb.. 
Souchong  Tea,  per  lb.. 
Sugar,  brown,  per  lb., 

loaf, 
Fish, 


#0.75 

$0.40 

1.50 

•55 

■25 

•5° 

1. 16 

.60 

.165 

.04 

•3° 

.06 

•°5 

.07 

70  HISTORY    OF   INDUSTRY. 

Honey,  per  lb., 

Nails,  wrought,       " 

"      cut, 
Allspice,  " 

Copperas,  " 

Butter-tubs,  each. 
Eggs,  per  dozen, 
Vinegar,  per  gallon, 
Wool,  per  lb., 
Steelyards,  per  pair, 
Wheat,  per  bushel, 
Oats, 

Pears,  " 

Yarn,  per  skein, 
Thread,  per  skein, 
Pins,  per  paper, 
Knitting  Pins,  set, 
Buttons,  pearl,  per  dozen, 
Combs,  each, 
Toweling,  per   yard, 
Muslin, 
Velvet, 

Gingham,        " 
Calico,  " 

Cambric,         " 
Sleeve  Links,  per  pair, 
Gloves,  cotton,  per  pair, 
Hose,         "  " 

Padlocks,  each. 
Shoes,  ladies', 

New-England  rum  appeared  to  be  a  staple  article  with  every 
merchant,  at  one  dollar  per  gallon,  and  the  large  quantities  sold 
seem  to  indicate  its  extensive  use  among  the  early  settlers. 

The  first  decade  of  the  nineteenth  century  closed  with 
promising  prospects  for  the  town  and  its  inhabitants.  In  popu- 
lation the  town  was  growing  very  rapidly.  By  industrious  and 
frugal  habits  the  settlers  had  begun  to  emerge  from  their 
poverty,  and  some  were  able  to  substitute  comfortable  frame- 
houses   for  their   lo^-cabins.      The  soil  had  been  brought  under 


So.  1 6  | 

So.  2  5 

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none 

.04 

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.40 

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.10 

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.42 

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•25 

I.50 

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1.25 

•42 

•45 

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■l3 

.02 

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.26 

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.08 

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.20 

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.06 

I.J21 

■l5 

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none 

.42 

.16 

.92 

.40 

•75 

•3° 

2.00 

1-25 

EVENTS   FROM    1800    TO    18 10.  7 1 

a  better  state  of  cultivation,  thereby  rendering  it  more  produc- 
tive. Roads  had  been  laid  out  and  opened,  affording  the 
settlers  better  facilities  for  marketing  their  produce.  Schools 
had  been  established,  and  education  had  already  begun  to 
exert  a  salutary  influence  in  the  community. 

According  to  the  census  of  1802,  there  were  one  hundred  and 
seventy  inhabitants  in  the  town  of  Industry,  and  in  18 10  the 
number  had  increased  to  five  hundred  and  sixty-two,  being  on 
an  average  a  gain  of  forty-nine  inhabitants  per  year. 


CHAPTER   V. 

THE   JOURNAL   OF   WILLIAM  ALLEN,  ESQ. 

Being  a  Full  Account  of  the  Emigration  of  his  Father,  ('apt.  William  Allen,  from 
Martha's  Vineyard  to  the  District  of  Maine,  together  with  an  Interesting 
Description    of    their    Pioneer    Life. 

THROUGH  the  kindness  of  his  son,  Charles  F.  Allen,  D.  D., 
of  Brunswick,  Me.,  the  writer  has  been  permitted  to  publish 
that  portion  of  William  Allen's  journal  relating  to  the  emigration 
of  his  father,  Capt.  William  Allen,  and  family,  from  Martha's 
Vineyard  to  the  District  of  Maine,  together  with  an  interesting 
account  of  the  privations  and  hardships  of  their  pioneer  life 
in  the  early  settlements  of  Farmington  and  Industry. 

My  father  returned  to  Martha's  Vineyard  from  Down  bast.  August, 
[792,  and  commenced  preparations  for  removing.  He  engaged  ('apt. 
Warren  Hovvland  to  Lie  at  Lambert's  Cove  the  first  of  September  with 
his  vessel,  the  Speedwell,  to  take  his  family  and  effects  on  board.  I  lis 
family  then  consisted  of  himself  and  my  mother,  each  of  them  in  the 
37th  year  of  their  age  ;  William  [the  writer  of  this  journal],  aged  12  ; 
Bartlett,  1  1  ;  Truman,  9  :  Deborah,  7  ;  Jane,  5  ;  Love,  2  ;  Harrison,  a 
Italic  of  four  months;  an  Indian  apprentice,  John  Coombs,  aged  i;: 
and  Rachel,  his  mother,  an  Indian  woman,  an  assistant  of  my  mother. 
From  much  sympathy,  my  grand  parents,  on  account  of  the  largeness 
of  the  family,  proposed  to  take  Bartlett  and  keep  him  until  he  was  14. 
and  Jane  till  she  was  1  X.  which  was  agreed  to.  We  then  numbered  bul 
nine,  all  told.  Our  stock  consisted  of  a  horse,  a  cow,  a  two-years-old 
heifer,  a  hog  and  six  sheep,  all  of  which  were  driven  down  to  the  harbor 
the  first  week  in  September,  till  the  11th  day  of  the  month,  when  the 
Speedwell  hove  in  sight ;  and  the  next  day.  all  on  hoard,  we  took  our 
departure  from  the  old  Vineyard   for  the   land  of  promise — Down   East. 


JOURNAL    OF  WILLIAM  ALLEN.  73 

Other  passengers  were  taken  on  board,  making  in  all  with  the  captain 
and  crew,  eighteen,  to  be  quartered  in  a  small  sloop  of  forty  tons. 
September  13th,  we  made  sail  and  proceeded  as  far  as  the  shoals,  when 
the  wind  came  round  to  the  northeast  directly  ahead.  The  women 
and  children  were  all  sea-sick,  occasioned  by  the  rough  head  wind.  As 
no  progress  could  be  made,  and  it  not  being  safe  to  anchor  on  the 
shoals,  we  went  back  to  Nantucket.  On  Friday,  Sept.  14th,  the  wind 
being  fair  and  the  weather  being  moderate,  in  the  afternoon  we  started 
again  and  got  over  the  shoals  before  dark,  but  in  the  night  the  wind  was 
again  ahead. 

Saturday,  Sept.  15th,  was  stormy,  and  the  wind  so  near  ahead  that 
we  made  little  progress  that  day  or  the  night  following.  On  Sunday 
morning,  Sept.  16th,  we  made  Seguin  directly  in  the  wind's  eye.  and 
could  make  our  course  no  nearer  than  Harpswell.  We  therefore  run 
into  Harpswell  Bay  before  noon  and  commenced  beating  along  the 
shore  for  the  Kennebec  River  till  dark,  when  a  violent  northeast  storm 
set  jnj — t}ie  ]ine  gale.  When  we  reached  within  a  mile  of  the  river,  we 
anchored  in  a  dangerous  place  near  the  shore  of  ('ape  Small  Point, 
where  the  swell  of  the  sea  was  frightful.  An  anchor  watch  was  set,  with 
directions  if  the  cable  parted  to  make  sail  and  keep  off  the  rocks  it 
possible.  The  anchor  held  fast,  and  the  violence  of  the  storm  abating 
as  the  daylight  appeared,  we  joyfully  made  sail,  entered  the  river  and 
proceeded  up  as  far  as  Jones's  Eddy  on  Monday.  The  wind  being 
ahead,  we  could  go  no  farther  that  day.  Some  of  us  went  on  shore  and 
visited  the  old  fort  at  Arrowsick.  We  saw  round  the  windows  the 
marks  of  the  bullets  shot  at  the  fort  by  the  Indians  in  old  times,  and 
examined  the  ancient  inscriptions  on  the  grave  stones  in  the  cemetery. 
We  spent  the  night  at  Jones's  Eddy,  thankful  that  our  sloop  had  escaped 
the  dangers  of  the  sea  and  that  we  could  rest  securely. 

Tuesday,  Sept.  iSth,  wind  still  ahead,  but  when  the  tide  favored,  by 
beating  and  towing  with  the  boat,  we  reached  Bath  before  noon.  I 
went  up  into  the  town  and  saw  a  company  of  boys  in  uniform  go  through 
a  military  drill,  which  was  new  sport  to  me.  My  father  went  to  Col. 
Dummer  Sewall's,  bought  a  hundred  pounds  of  hay  for  our  stock,  and 
bargained  for  land. 

Wednesday,  Sept.  19,  beat  up  to  Lovejoy's  Narrows,  and  then  landed 
our  horse,  on  a  projecting  rock,  when  my  mother,  with  me  for  an  escort, 
took  her  child  in  her  arms  and  started  for  Doctor  Tupper's  in  Dresden, 
five  miles  further  up  the  river,  Mrs.  Tupper  being  a  relative  and  early- 
friend  of  my  mother.  We  had  proceeded  but  a  short  distance,  when 
the  horse  stepped  out  of  the  path  in  quest  of  water,  sank  into  the  mire 


74  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

and  threw  us  all  headlong  into  the  mud.  The  child  was  covered  with 
mire  and  almost  suffocated  ;  hut  no  hones  were  broken,  so  I  succeeded 
in  getting  the  horse  into  the  road.  We  all  remounted,  and  arrived  at 
the  Doctor's  about  dark,  where  we  were  kindly  received  by  Mrs.  Tup- 
per.  The  Doctor  was  in  Boston  fitting  out  his  famous  timber  ship,  or 
rail,  for  England,  which  proved  unmanageable  and  was  abandoned,  near 
Nova  Scotia,  a  total  loss.  We  remained  in  Dresden  five  days;  during 
that  time  the  Speedwell  passed  by  and  arrived  at  Hallowell. 

Monday.  Sept.  24th,  we  rode  in  a  poor  blind  road  to  Hallowell. 
The  horse  refused  to  go  into  the  ferry  boat,  and  they  had  to  plunge  him 
into  the  riser  by  main  force  and  tow  him  across.  After  a  long  time  we 
all  arrived  safe  at  Hallowell.  There  were  then  two  or  three  stores  and 
as  many  houses  in  the  village  of  Hallowell.  Tuesday,  the  25th,  we 
remained  at  Hallowell.  packing  up  and  waiting  for  a  team. 

Wednesday,  the  26th,  all  being  in  readiness,  Seth  Luce,  of  Read- 
field,  was  on  hand  with  a  cart  and  oxen  to  take  a  ton  of  furniture  to 
Sandy  River,  our  place  of  destination,  fifty  miles,  on  contract  for  twenty 
dollars.  He  had  also  procured  a  horse  and  saddle  for  our  accommoda- 
tion. The  cart  was  loaded  and  started  in  advance,  then  came  our 
caravan, — the  cow,  heifer  and  sheep  were  driven  by  me,  and  the  hog  by 
Indian  John.  After  we  had  passed  out  of  the  village,  the  hog  refused 
to  go,  and  escaped  into  the  woods  on  a  straight  course  for  Martha's 
Vineyard.  After  a  long  chase,  he  was  run  down,  conquered  and  sub- 
mitted to  he  led  by  John  with  a  halter.  The  Indian  made  peace  with 
him  by  obtaining  a  few  ears  of  corn  from  a  settler  who  was  husking  by 
the  road,  which  he  dealt  out  sparingly,  and  the  hog  followed  quietly 
the  whole  distance,  even  wading  the  Sandy  River.  After  the  team  and 
stock,  my  father  came  on  horseback,  with  a  bed  in  a  sack  across  the 
saddle,  a  bundle  of  blankets  behind  him  and  a  child  two  years  old  in 
his  arms.  Then  my  mother  with  a  bed  on  the  saddle,  a  daughter  of 
five  years  behind  her  and  an  infant  in  her  arms, — all  making  a  train 
extending  sometimes  for  the  distance  of  a  mile,  moving  at  a  slow  pace, 
sometimes  waiting  tor  the  team  to  get  out  of  a  tight  place  where  we 
could  not  pass.  It  was  past  noon  when  we  arrived  at  Evans's  in  Read- 
field,  eight  miles,  where  we  obtained  some  refreshment  and  some  clover 
li,i\  lor  the  stock.  I  had  never  seen  anything  of  the  kind  before;  did 
not  know  what  it  was,  but  thought  it  was  a  kind  of  pea-vine.  Our  horse, 
being  used  only  to  line  hay,  would  not  eat  it.  After  resting  an  hour, 
we  drove  on  two  miles  further  and  put  up  for  the  night  with  Beniah 
Luce,  where  the  railroad  depot  now  is. 

Thursday,  the  27th.  we  went  over    Kent's    Hill,  where  three  families 


JOURNAL   OF   WILLIAM  ALLEN.  75 

lived,  Benjamin  and  Reuben  Kent,  in  framed  houses,  and  Nathaniel 
Thomas  in  a  log-house.  In  going  up  the  hill  I  saw  a  red  squirrel  for 
the  first  time.  The  road  parted  on  the  hill,  one  branch  going  to  Liver- 
more,  the  other  to  our  place  of  destination,  which  we  found  much 
worse  than  the  other  part,  and  some  of  our  furniture  was  broken  going- 
down  the  hill.  We  arrived  at  Robert  blake's  to  a  late  dinner.  Stopped 
an  hour  or  more  to  rest.  Father  and  mother  rode  on  ahead  to  make 
some  provision  for  us  at  the  stopping  place  at  Wyman's  Plantation 
[Vienna],  six  miles  distant.  In  the  last  five  miles  there  was  no  house 
to  be  seen,  and  my  sister,  Deborah,  tired  of  riding,  chose  to  walk  with 
me  and  the  Indian  woman.  Rachel.  A  dreary  long  walk  we  found  it, 
in  a  misty  rain,  but  we  all  arrived  at  Judkins's  Camp  before  dark.  We 
there  met  two  men  trom  Sandy  River,  who  brought  an  evil  report  that 
all  the  corn  on  the  intervales  was  destroyed  by  frost  in  August.  Mr. 
Judkins  was  not  provided  with  bread  or  accommodations  for  so  great  a 
multitude,  there  being  ten  of  us.  The  house  had  two  rooms,  with  a 
stone  chimney,  and  oven  between  the  rooms.  The  family  lived  in  one 
room,  and  the  other  in  which  the  oven  was.  was  packed  with  unthreshed 
wheat.  The  old  man  told  his  boys  to  move  back  the  wheat  and  blast 
the  oven,  as  he  had  no  bread  for  the  travelers.  The  oven  was  blasted, 
and  by  ten  o'clock,  bread  was  baked  sufficient  for  our  supper  and 
breakfast.  The  men  found  lodgings  on  the  hay  in  the  hovel.  Father 
and  mother  spread  their  bed  on  the  floor,  some  found  room  in  the  attic 
and  all   fared  as  well  as  they  could. 

Friday,  Sept.  28th.  We  had  now  twelve  miles  to  Sandy  River  and 
six  more  to  our  own  camp.  We  started  early,  in  the  cold  rain,  by  the 
way  of  the  long  ridge,  six  miles,— a  better  road  than  the  day  before. 
and  stopped  for  dinner  at  hummer  Sewall,  Jr.'s,  in  Chester  [now  (lies- 
terville].  We  found  Mrs.  Sewall  a  kind-hearted  woman,  who  had  much 
sympathy  for  my  mother,  knowing  the  hardships  and  privations  she- 
would  be  exposed  to  in  the  desolate  place  where  we  were  going  in  the 
outposts  of  the  settlements  on  Sandy  River.  We  had  got  so  near  our 
journey's  end  that  we  started  off  with  good  courage  after  dinner,  arrived 
at  Thomas  Hiscock's  before  night,  took  a  by-path  across  the  river,  and 
reached  Solomon  Adams's  as  the  sun  was  setting.  Here  our  company 
separated.  Father,  mother  and  the  three  children  went  down  the  river 
a  mile  to  Esquire  Titcomb's,  where  the  family  had  an  invitation  to  stop 
till  the  log-house  was  made  habitable.  We  drove  our  stock  about  a 
mile  up  the  river,  where  provision  had  been  made  at  Esquire  Norton's 
for  keeping  them.      Mr.  Luce  went  with  the  furniture  another  route,  on 


j6  HISTORY   OF   INDUSTRY. 

the  west  side  of  the  river  a  mile  further  on,  and  put  up  at  Zaccheus 
Mayhew's.     Our  journey  was  now  considered  substantially  at  an  end. 

We  were  all  alive  and  well,  except  tin-  fatigue,  having  had  a  con- 
tinued series  of  difficulties  during  the  autumnal  equinox  and  the  line 
gales  for  sixteen  days.  I  have  since,  on  two  occasions,  accomplished 
the  distance  by  the  aid  of  a  team  in  twenty-seven  hours.  Mr.  Luce,  by 
depositing  the  most  valuable  portion  of  his  load  at  the  river,  made  out 
die  rest  to  the  camp  on  Saturday,  driving  through  the  woods  in  a 
road  over  which  no  cart  had  ever  been  before.  There  was  constant 
danger  of  upsetting  and  destroying  his  load.  He  succeeded,  however, 
and  returned  the  same  day  to  the  river  on  his  way  home. 

Saturday,  Sept.  29TH,  1792.  We  boys,  with  Indian  John  to  pilot 
us.  went  to  see  our  new  habitation  in  the  woods,  two  miles  beyond  any 
other  house  or  encampment.*  We  found  it  in  a  rude,  forbidding,  deso 
late  looking  place.  The  trees  about  the  house  and  opening  were 
mostly  spruce  and  hemlock.  They  had  been  cut  down  on  about  five 
acres,  a  strip  forty  rods  long  and  about  twenty  wide,  on  the  first  of  July, 
and  burned  over.  The  whole  surface  was  as  black  as  a  coal,  the  trees 
on  the  north  side  of  the  opening  were  burned  to  their  tops,  and  the 
timber  on  the  ground  was  burned  black.  A  small  bed  of  English  tur- 
nips on  a  mellow  knoll,  sown  soon  after  the  fire,  was  the  only  green 
thing  visible  on  the  premises.  A  log-house  forty  feet  long  and  twenty 
wide  had  been  laid  on  the  bank  of  a  small  brook.  The  building  was 
formed  of  straight  spruce  logs  about  a  foot  in  diameter,  hewed  a  little 
on  the  inside.  It  was  laid  up  seven  feet  high  with  hewed  beams  and  a 
framed  roof,  covered  with  large  sheets  of  spruce  bark  secured  by  long 
poles  withed  down.  The  gable  ends  were  also  rudely  covered  with 
bark.  The  house  stood  near  the  felled  trees,  there  was  neither  door 
nor  window,  chimney  nor  floor,  but  a  space  had  been  cut  out  near  the 
centre  of  the  front  side  for  a  door.  The  building  stood  on  uneven 
ground.  The  corner  farthest  from  the  brook  was  laid  on  a  large  log  to 
bring  the  bottom  logs  to  a  level,  leaving  a  space  along  that  end  nearly 
two  feet  from  the  ground.  We  thought  it  not  a  safe  place  to  lodge  in, 
as  a  bear  or  wolf  could  easily  crawl  in.  We  found  our  furniture  in  a 
pile  on  the  ground.  After  viewing  the  premises,  we  returned  to  our 
lodgings  at  Esquire  Norton's  with  no  pleasant  feelings  in  regard  to  our 
lonely  dwelling  place  and   future  prospects. 

October   ist.     We  obtained  a  bushel  of  corn  of  Esquire  Titcomb, 
which  I  carried  on  horseback   to  the   Falls  [Farmington],  to    mill  ;  and 


*  This  lot  now  (  iSoj)  comprises  the  farm  of  (  Ibed  X.  Collins  in  the  northern  part 
of  Farmington. —  //•'.   ( '.  //. 


JOURNAL    OF   WILLIAM  ALLEN.  77 

then  I  went  by  a  blind  path  over  bad  sloughs  to  Harlock  Smith's,  in 
New  Sharon,  to  get  a  box  of  maple  sugar  which  had  been  bought  of 
him.  I  found  part  of  the  way  obstructed  with  fallen  trees  lying  in  all 
directions,  over  which  I  made  the  horse  jump,  and  succeeded  in  getting 
home  safe  with  my  meal  and  sugar.  Being  provided  with  bread  and 
other  necessary  articles,  a  carpenter  was  engaged,  and  the  next  day  we 
took  formal  possession  of  the  camp.  The  carpenter  prepared  plank  by 
splitting  basswood  logs  for  the  floor  of  one  room  and  the  entry  ;  a  half 
a  thousand  feet  of  boards  were  procured  for  doors  and  partitions  ;  one 
wide  board  was  laid  for  a  floor  in  front  of  the  hearth  to  sit  on  while 
they  rocked  the  baby,  and  a  few  boards  were  laid  as  a  chamber  floor 
fur  the  boys  to  spread  their  beds  on.  The  rest  of  the  chamber  floor 
was  made  of  poles  covered  with  basswood  bark,  on  which  the  corn  was 
spread  to  dry.  Stones  were  collected  by  the  boys  on  a  hand-barrow 
for  the  jambs  of  a  chimney  and  the  foundation  of  an  oven.  In  the 
course  of  the  week  the  floor  was  laid,  the  doors  were  hung,  the  jambs 
of  the  chimney  laid  up,  a  hole  was  made  in  the  roof  for  the  smoke  to 
escape,  a  rude  entry  partition  was  put  up  and  six  squares  of  glass  in  a 
sash  were  inserted  in  an  opening  for  a  window.  Other  spaces,  opened 
to  let  in  the  light,  could  be  closed  with  boards  when  necessary.  In  this 
condition,  on  the  eighth  of  October,  my  mother,  with  the  children, 
moved  in, — not  to  enjoy  the  comforts  of  life,  but  to  suffer  all  the  hard- 
ships that  pioneers  must  undergo  in  a  hard  battle  with  poverty,  for  more 
than  five  years,  in  that  desolate  place,  without  friends  or  neighbors. 

Our  first  business  was  to  harvest  our  frost-bitten  corn,  about  fifty 
bushels,  which  grew  in  two  places,  six  or  seven  miles  distant.  It  was 
brought  home  in  a  large  sack  that  would  hold  six  bushels  of  ears,  laid 
upon  the  horse's  back,  over  mud  and  mire,  to  the  annoyance  of  the 
driver.  Indian  John,  who  had  often  to  go  a  mile  to  get  help  to  reload 
his  corn,  when  the  horse  was  mired,  laid  down  and  threw  off  his  load. 
After  the  snow  came,  a  sled  was  used  with  better  success.  The  corn 
being  harvested,  we  proceeded  to  prepare  our  log-house  for  winter. 
The  boys  collected  stones,  an  oven  was  built  and  the  chimney  carried 
up  to  the  ridgepole  with  stones  and  topped  out  with  sticks  laid  in  clay. 
The  cracks  between  the  logs  were  caulked  up  with  moss  on  the  inside 
and  plastered  with  clay  on  the  outside.  A  hovel  was  built  for  the  animals 
which  was  covered  with  boughs.  The  first  snow  fell  in  October,  and  it 
snowed  every  week  till  the  first  of  January,  without  wind.  After  that 
time  the  snow  was  badly  drifted,  so  there  was  but   little  traveling. 

We  explored  the  neighboring  forests  with  our  gun  and  found  plenty 
of  game,  when  the  snow   was   not   too   deep.     John,  the   Indian,  was  a 


78  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

good  sportsman.  We  kept  account  of  the  partridges  killed,  and  found 
the  number  to  be  sixty-five  killed  during  the  first  fall  and  the  next 
spring.  They  disappeared  when  the  snow  was  deep,  and  then  we  could 
sometimes  kill  a  harmless  rabbit.  We  had  hard  times  during  the  win- 
ter, 1  792-3,  but  suffered  more  intensely  the  next  summer,  under  our 
severe  tasks  and  privations,  and  from  the  torment  of  Mack  flies  and 
mosquitoes.  (  )ur  camp  was  near  a  large  swamp  that  swarmed  with 
these  pests,  which  tormented  us  day  and  night.  We  could  scarcely 
see,  our  eyes  were  so  swollen.  Sometimes  the  boys  had  their  necks 
bitten  till  there  were  raw  sores  with  Hies  imbedded  in  them.  Our  fare 
was  coarse  and  scanty  and  our  work  hard.  The  land  was  hard  to  clear 
and  unproductive  when  cleared,  not  one-eighth  of  it  being  fit  for  culti- 
vation, and  that  a  mile  from  the  house.  Our  clothes  were  worn  out 
and  torn  to  pieces  going  through  the  bushes  ;  our  bare  feet  and  ankles 
scratched,  and  our  necks  bleeding  from  the  bites  of  flies  and  mosqui- 
toes. When  we  cleared  the  land  and  planted  corn  on  the  further  end 
of  our  lot,  the  bears  ate  it  up.  and  we  seemed  to  be  doomed  to  suffer- 
ing and  poverty.  When  fourteen  years  old.  I  once  carried  corn  on  my 
back  ten  miles  to  mill,  and  often  carried  it  five  miles,  for  we  were 
obliged  to  sell  our  horse  the  first  year  of  our  sojourn  in  the  forest,  and 
we  carried  our  corn  on  our  backs  to  mill,  or  went  three  or  four  miles 
to  get  a  horse,  often  a  poor,  lame,  stumbling  beast — taking  a  whole  day 
to  go  to  mill — and  then  two  days'  work  of  a  boy  or  one  of  a  man  to 
pay  the  hire.  The  longer  we  lived  in  that  wretched  place  the  harder 
we  fared. 

June  28TH,  1  793,  we  were  visited  with  a  most  destructive  hailstorm, 
accompanied  with  thunder  and  lightning.  The  hailstones — as  large  as 
hen's  eggs — came  through  the  bark  roof  of  our  camp  by  scores.  My 
little  sister  was  stunned  by  a  hailstone  that  came  through  the  roof  and 
struck  her  on  the  forehead,  causing  the  blood  to  flow  freely.  The 
storm  was  accompanied  with  such  torrents  of  rain,  beyond  all  concep- 
tion, with  crashing  peals  of  thunder  and  Hashes  of  lightning,  that  it 
seemed  to  me  that  the  end  of  the  world  had  come.  I  grasped  the 
Bible,  but  not  a  word  could  be  read,  for  the  water  had  drenched  every- 
thing in  the  house.  The  torrents  lasted  not  more  than  two  or  three 
minutes  ami  ceased  abruptly. 

My  father  moved  into  his  new  log-house  on  land  belonging  to  the 
Plymouth  Company  [some  four  miles  from  his  first  abode,  on  a  hill 
to  the  east  of  Allen's  Mills],  tin-  last  day  of  April,  1798.  The  house 
was  twenty-four  by  twenty  feet,  built  of  logs.  The  roof  was  boarded 
and   shingled  ;    there   was   a    good    floor,    with    bed  room,    kitchen    and 


JOURNAL    OF   WILLIAM  ALLEN.  79 

buttery  partitioned  off;  a  ladder  leading  to  the  attic  which  had  two 
sleeeping  rooms  for  the  children.  We  lived  in  this  house  till  Decem- 
ber, 1802,  making  in  all  ten  years  of  residence  in  log-houses.  Eight 
acres  of  trees  had  been  felled  the  year  before  and  not  burned.  The 
ground  had  been  cleared  but  a  little  about  the  house,  and  when  the 
cut-down  was  burned  there  was  great  danger  of  the  house  ;  we  wet  the 
house  and  the  ground  around,  but,  in  spite  of  all  our  precaution,  the 
house  took  fire  ;  we  succeeded,  however,  in  extinguishing  the  flames, 
not  without  danger  of  suffocation,  before  much  damage  was  done.  We 
raised  a  good  crop  of  corn  that  year,  about  200  bushels,  and  in  the 
following  years  good  crops  of  corn,  wheat  and  rye  were  uniformly 
secured. 

Still  we  suffered  for  many  comforts  of  life,  with  no  stock  at  first, 
but  one  hired  cow  which  ran  in  the  woods  in  the  summer  to  pick  up  a 
living.  We  bought  calves  that  year  and  soon  raised  up  a  good  stock. 
Our  prospects  in  our  new  establishment  were  quite  encouraging  com- 
pared with  those  in  the  forbidding  and  barren  spot  where  we  suffered  so 
much  for  six  years  in  first  coming  into  the  wilderness.  Now  we  could 
look  forward  with  good  hope  of  better  times  from  year  to  year.  We  had  a 
good  sugar-orchard  on  the  lot,  and  the  first  year  on  our  new  farm  I  made 
nine  hundred  pounds  of  sugar  with  no  assistance  after  the  trees  were 
tapped,  except  one  day's  work  cutting  wood,  Bartlett  my  next  younger 
brother  being  sick,  and  Truman  had  left  the  place  to  go  to  sea. 

My  father  having  raised  a  good  crop  of  corn  the  first  year  that  he 
lived  in  town  [Industry],  prepared  a  load  of  forty-five  bushels  for  mar- 
ket to  pay  for  leather  for  shoes  and  to  procure  necessaries,  having  bought 
one  yoke  of  oxen,  he  procured  another  yoke  on  condition  that  he  would 
pay  at  Winthrop,  fifteen  shillings  in  grain  for  the  hire  of  them  ;  got  all 
things  in  readiness  on  Saturday  in  January,  1  799,  for  an  early  start  on 
Monday  morning  for  a  week's  jaunt,  and  I  was  designated  teamster.* 

The  boys  were  called  up  early  and  one  sent  two  miles  for  the  hired 
oxen,  and  before  daylight  appeared  I  started  with  my  load.  The  roads 
being  rough  and  the  track  narrow,  my  father  went  with  me  four  miles  to 
Col.  Fairbanks's,  near  the  Titcomb  place  in  Farmington,  to  pry  up  the 
sled  when  it  run  off  the  track.  We  arrived  at  Col.  Fairbanks's  before 
sunrise,  let  the  oxen  rest  and  eat  half  an  hour,  re-laid  the  load  on  the 
sled  and  squared  up  and  made  all  secure,  I  then  proceeded  alone  ;  the 
road  being  better,  crossed  the  river  opposite   Farmington  village  f  and 

*  Young  Allen  was  then  in  his  nineteenth  year. —  IV.  C.  II. 

f  Probably  Farmington  Falls  is  the  village  to  which  reference  is  here  made. —  IV. 
C.H. 


8o  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

arrived  at  Lowell's  in  Chesterville  soon  alter  noon,  fed  my  oxen,  eat  my 
cold  dinner,  with  a  tumbler  of  cider  to  wash  it  down  ;  stopped  an  hour 
and  started  again,  got  to  Perry's  at  sunset  and  put  up,  having  driven 
nineteen  miles.  Bought  a  pint  of  milk  and  ate  bread  and  milk  for  sup- 
per, (lot  a  warm  breakfast  and  started  again  at  sunrise,  drove  seventeen 
miles  to  Winthrop  where  I  discharged  ten  bushels  off  from  my  load 
to  pay  the  tanner  for  our  winter  stock  of  leather,  tried  to  sell  my  load 
but  no  one  would  buy,  and.  had  to  go  three  miles  further  to  leave  another 
portion  of  my  load  for  ox-hire.  On  a  cross  road  I  was  directed  wrong 
and  found  myself  at  the  end  of  a  wood  road  in  the  dark.  Could  find  no 
suitable  place  to  turn,  but  with  much  trouble  I  got  my  sled  turned  by 
taking  my  forward  oxen,  with  the  chain,  to  one  corner  of  the  sled  and 
starting  the  sled  off  and  then  starting  the  oxen  on  the  tongue,  then  first 
one  yoke  then  the  other  a  little  at  a  time  till  I  got  turned  ;  after  half  an 
hour  thus  spent,  I  at  length  got  on  the  right  track  and  having  traveled 
twenty  miles  arrived  at  Fairbanks,  my  place  of  deposit,  stopped  over 
night  and  as  my  team  was  beat  out  I  accepted  an  invitation  to  stop  a 
day  to  rest.  On  the  fourth  day  I  started  early  and  drove  to  Hallowell 
by  noon,  carried  hay  and  baited  my  oxen  in  the  street,  sold  my  corn  for 
four  shillings  per  bushel,  got  ten  dollars  in  money  and  the  rest  in  goods  ; 
and»started  for  home  without  entering  any  building  in  the  place  except 
the  stores.  I  drove  to  Carlton's  by  daylight,  a  distance  of  eight  miles  ; 
the  next  day  to  Lowell's  twenty-two  miles,  and  on  the  sixth  day,  in  the 
afternoon,  got  home  tired  and  hungry  with  about  four  dollars  in  money 
after  paying  expenses  and  ten  dollars  in  necessary  family  stores,  salt,  etc., 
the  proceeds  of  my  load  of  corn  after  paying  the  tanner. 

At  a  meeting  for  the  organization  of  the  militia,  January,  1799,  on 
what  was  then  called  the  Plymouth  Patent,  my  father  proposed  as  a 
name  for  the  place,  Industry,  which  was  adopted  by  vote  and  the  name 
is  still  retained.*  On  the  incorporation  of  the  town  he  was  chosen  town 
clerk  and  held  that  office  two  years.  On  clearing  up  the  land  in  Indus- 
try it  was  found  productive.  It  was  stony  but  bore  good  crops  ;  and  we 
had  bread  enough  and  to  spare.  In  1799  a  beginning  was  made  on  my 
lot  |  by  cutting  down  five  acres  of  trees,  and  three  acres  more  the  next 
year.  So  I  had  eight  acres  ready  to  be  cleared  when  I  arrived  of  age. 
I  owned  a  good  axe  and  had  possession  of  a  hundred  acres  of  wild  land, 
without  a  title  ;  but  I  had  no  whole  suit  of  decent  clothes.  We  all 
could  make  shingles,  baskets  and  brooms  to  sell,  and  I   made  shoes  for 


*  See  page  59. 

fThis  was  lot  No.  28  of  Lemuel  Perham's  survey  and  is  now  known  as  the  Dea- 
con Ira  Emery  farm. —  IV.  C.  II. 


JOURNAL    OF   WILLIAM  ALLEN.  8 1 

the  family  and  sonic  for  others  when  I  could  find  no  better  employment. 
In  the  winter  of  1799  I  was  employed  to  teach  a  primary  school  for  two 
months  m  Farmington  for  eight  dollars  a  month.  The  next  winter  I 
worked  with  Knos  Field,  at  North  Yarmouth,  making  shoes  at  nine 
dollars  a  month.  The  next  winter  I  had  ten  dollars  a  month  for  teach- 
ing in  New  Sharon,  and  in  1802  I  had  twelve  dollars  in  a  town  school  in 
Farmington  ;  but  I  was  not  qualified  to  teach  English  grammar.  In  the 
fall  of  that  year  I  was  persuaded  by  my  friend.  Joseph  Titcomb,  who 
had  been  one  term  at  the  Hallowell  Academy,  to  join  him  and  go  for 
six  weeks.  Entering  the  Academy  I  was  embarrassed  with  my  defic- 
iencies and  during  the  first  week  was  thoroughly  homesick.  Preceptor 
Moody  took  pity  on  me  —  said  that  he  was  grieved  that  I  was  sick. 
With  the  encouragement  of  this  judicious  teacher  I  soon  began  to  make 
progress  in  my  studies  in  grammar,  geometry  and  trigonometry.  Han- 
nibal Shepard,  one  of  the  students,  lent  me  books. 

The  preceptor  employed  me  in  his  garden  and  charged  nothing  for 
tuition  ;  and  at  the  end  of  six  weeks,  without  solicitation,  gave  me  a 
first-class  certificate  that  I  was  well  qualified  to  teach  all  the  branches 
of  study  usually  taught  in  public  schools.  My  clothes  were  shabby 
when  I  left  the  Academy,  November  5th,  and  started  for  home  on  foot; 
but  before  I  reached  home  I  had,  ragged  as  I  was,  two  applications  to 
teach  in  the  best  schools  in  the  county.  The  attendance  at  the  Acad- 
emy was  the  foundation  of  my  success  in  business  in  after  life.  Mr. 
Moody  was  a  kind  friend  as  long  as  he  lived. 

When  he  left  the  Academy  he  procured  my  appointment  as  assistant 
to  his  successor  for  two  years.  On  my  journey  to  Farmington  I  went 
out  of  my  way  to  deliver  a  letter  and  message  from  Charles  Vaughan,  a 
land  agent,  to  Captain  [Lemuel]  Perham,  the  surveyor,  and  was  em- 
ployed by  him  two  days  in  making  plans,  for  which  I  received  two 
dollars  in  money  and  more  than  ten  dollars'  worth  of  instruction  in  plot- 
ting lots  of  a  given  quantity,  in  various  forms,  bounded  by  a  crooked 
river.     I  reached  home  with  money  in  my  pocket. 

April  i6th,  1S01.  I  left  work  for  my  father,  who  had  then  nearly 
completed  his  spring's  work,  and  went  to  work  for  myself  in  good 
earnest. 

My  lot  was  a  mile  from  my  father's  and  I  made  a  contract  to  board 
at  home,  my  mother  kindly  consenting  to  do  my  cooking  and  other 
work,  on  my  furnishing  provisions.  I  soon  found  means  to  pay  for  a 
good  cow,  so  the  family  were  no  longer  stinted  to  a  tea-cupful  of  milk 
at  a  meal. 

I  worked  early  and  late  burning  off  the  logs  ;  and  by  rolling  the  logs 


82  HISTORY    OF   rNDUSTRY. 

two  or  three  in  a  place  I  cleared  by  hand,  without  assistance,  except 
one  or  two  hours'  work,  three  acres  ready  for  sowing.  I  sowed  two  acres 
of  wheat  and  one  acre  of  rye.  Had  a  yoke  of  oxen  one  day  to  harrow 
in  the  crop  and  had  the  seed  in  the  ground  within  a  month  from  the 
time  I  began  1  turning  off  the  log.  I  spent  a  full  day  with  a  hoe  cover- 
ing the  grain  around  the  stumps  and  other  places  where  the  harrow  had 
not  covered  it.  When  it  had  grown  I  never  saw  a  field  of  wheat  that 
looked  so  well, —  not  a  weed,  bush  or  stump  was  to  be  seen,  as  the 
wheat  was  higher  than  the  stumps,  the  heads  large  and  hanging  down 
with  the  weight  of  the  grain. 

I  had  forty-two  bushels  of  choice  wheat  from  the  two  bushels  sown 
worth  an  extra  price  ;  much  of  it  was  sold  for  seed.  The  rye  was  also 
very  good.  I  estimated  that  there  were  thirty-three  bushels  from  one 
sown.  I  burnt  the  limbs  on  the  other  five  acres  which  yielded  me  one 
hundred  and  twenty-eight  bushels  of  corn  besides  what  the  birds  and 
squirrels  carried  off.  The  whole  was  a  satisfactory  result.  The  pro- 
ceeds of  the  year's  work,  including  improvement  on  the  farm,  was  more 
than  two  hundred  dollars.  Always  after,  when  I  cultivated  land  per- 
sonally, I  had  good  crops. 

In  1799  the  inhabitants  of  the  plantation,  extending  from  New  Vine- 
yard through  Starks,  Oak  Hill  and  Mercer  to  Norridgewock,  —  a  district 
reaching  more  than  twenty  miles  from  one  extreme  to  the  other, — were 
organized  into  a  military  company.  The  Captain  [John  Thompson] 
and  Ensign  [Jabez  Norton,  Jr.]  were  Methodists,  and  the  Lieutenant 
[Ambrose  Arnold]  was  a  Baptist.  I  was  chosen  clerk  and  it  became 
my  duty  to  see  that  the  men  were  all  warned  for  training  four  times  a 
year,  to  meet  with  them  at  trainings  and  general  muster  and  to  note 
their  deficiencies.  In  May,  1799,  there  was  no  road  direct  from  the 
north  part  of  the  district  to  the  south  part;  and  the  snow  was  then  so 
dee])  in  the  woods  that  we  could  not  pass  thro'  the  forest.  I  was  first 
required  to  go  three  miles  to  see  the  captain  and  get  his  orders; 
then  to  travel  through  Farmington  Village  at  the  Falls,  along  the  border 
of  Chesterville  to  Cape  Cod  Hill,  in  New  Sharon,  to  reach  Lieutenant 
Arnolds's  in  what  is  now  called  Mercer,  and  receive  the  orders  from 
him.  The  river  could  not  be  crossed  in  safety  with  a  horse  in  a  more 
direct  course. 

Tuesday,  Man  5111,  1799,  was  the  day  designated  [by  law]  for  the 
training.  The  snow  was  so  deep  as  to  be  impassable  where  there  was 
no  track  except  on  snowshoes.  Some  went  to  the  training  on  snow- 
shoes  ;  I  followed  the  only  track  to  get  from  home  to  the  place  of  train- 
ing near  Withee's  Corner,  by  going  north  to  Hinkley's  Corner  [near  the 


JOURNAL    OF   WILLIAM  ALLEN.  S3 

Thomas  F.  Norton  farm],  then  east  to  Thompson's  Corner  [near  the 
old  Thomas  M.  Oliver  farm],  and  then  south  to  the  Withee's  Corner, 
being  four  times  the  distance  in  a  direct  line,  where  there  was  no  path. 
It  is  therefore  not  strange  that  I  was  soon  tired  of  military  honor,  and 
escaped  from  it,  as  I  could  be  excused.  I  did  not  aspire  to  any  pro- 
motion in  the  service,  and  in  due  time  resigned,  having  no  wish  for  any 
office  of  more  honor  than  profit.  That  spring  of  1  799  was  more  back- 
ward than  any  I  had  ever  known.  The  snow  was  more  than  a  foot  deep 
in  the  woods,  and  the  Kennebec  was  passable  on  the  ice  at  Norridge- 
wock,  till  the  tenth  of  May. 

In  the  spring  ot  1S02  while  I  was  at  work  on  the  farm,  I  was  sur- 
prised by  a  visit  from  a  deputy  sheriff,  who  served  a  warrant  on  me 
requiring  a  State  tax  of  forty-four  dollars,  which  was  to  be  assessed  on 
the  inhabitants  of  the  plantation. 

His  directions  required  him  to  serve  it  on  some  "principal  in- 
habitant, who  would  be  able  to  pay  the  tax  if  he  did  not  cause  the  same 
to  be  lawfully  assessed.  The  deputy  said  he  had  been  through  the 
settlement  and  could  not  find  any  such  person  ;  but  that  I  had  received 
enough  money  keeping  school  the  previous  winter  to  answer  the  purpose, 
and  he  therefore  left  the  warrant  with  me.  After  enquiry  and  receiving 
directions  how  to  avoid  the  penalty  of  neglect,  I  procured  a  warrant 
from  Charles  Vaughan,  Esq.,  of  Hallowell,  for  calling  a  meeting  and  the 
plantation  was  duly  organized  I  was  chosen  one  of  the  assessors  and 
the  tax  was  assessed  and  paid.  A  similar  tax  was  assessed  the  next 
year.  In  the  month  of  June,  1803,  the  west  portion  of  the  plantation 
was  incorporated  into  a  town  by  the  name  of  Industry,  and  I  was  chosen 
one  of  the  selectmen,  with  Capt.  Peter  West  and  Daniel  Luce,  Senior, 
for  associates. 

My  new  farm  did  not  require  all  my  time  for  several  years.  I  had 
time  to  make  shingles  and  build  a  grain  barn  the  first  summer.  I  also 
worked  out  in  haying.  In  the  fall  I  made  shoes,  and  kept  school  in  the 
winter,  with  increased  compensation,  for  twelve  years.  I  did  not  have 
to  go  from  home  to  look  up  a  school,  but  my  success  and  with  the 
recommendation  of  my  worthy  friend,  Preceptor  Moody,  my  name  was 
favorably  known  in  the  community,  it  may  be,  beyond  my  deserts.  I 
taught  town  school  ten  winters,  and  was  an  assistant  in  Hallowell  Acad- 
emy nearly  two  years.  I  quit  teaching  on  account  of  my  health,  and  to 
cultivate  my  farm  which  needed  my  exclusive  attention. 

Tumultuous  meetings  were  held  in  various  places  on  the  Plymouth 
Company's  lands  in  Maine  prior  to  1802  by  reason  of  the  decisions  of 
court  which  established  the  proprietors'  title  to  large  tracts  of  land  on 


84  HISTORY   OF   INDUSTRY. 

the  Kennebec,  to  which  many  believed  they  had  no  right  ;  and  on 
which  the  settlers  had  entered  with  the  expectation  that  they  would  be 
protected  by  the  State  ;  and  would  have  the  land  for  a  small  price. 
When  the  Plymouth  proprietors  obtained  judgment  in  their  favor,  and 
demanded  hard  terms,  many  of  the  settlers  resisted  payment,  and  great 
commotions  leading  to  bloodshed  in  some  places  arose.  The  Legisla- 
ture interposed  by  appointing  Peleg  Coffin,  Treasurer  of  State  ;  Hon. 
Elijah  Brigham,  Judge  of  the  Court,  and  Colonel  Thomas  Dwight,  all 
high-toned  Federalists,  who  had  no  sympathy  for  men  who,  as  they 
believed,  were  trespassers  on  the  lands  ;  a  committee  to  come  and  view 
the  land  and  appraise  for  each  settler  a  lot  of  one  hundred  acres, —  a 
very  unfortunate  committee  for  the  poor  settlers.  The  committee  came 
to  Augusta  in  October,  1802,  put  up  at  Thomas's  Tavern  on  the  east  side, 
where  they  fared  sumptuously,  and  notified  the  settlers  on  the  lands  in 
dispute,  to  appear  and  enter  into  a  submission  to  abide  the  decision  the 
committee  should  make  as  to  the  conditions  of  holding  the  lands.  The 
settlers  came  from  all  directions,  some  from  a  distance  of  forty  miles. 
Being  at  school  at  Hallowell  I  waited  a  week  for  the  crowd  to  subside. 
and  then  I  found  a  schoolboy  to  ferry  me  over  the  river  for  nothing,  and 
to  watch  for  me  when  I  came  back,  with  his  canoe.  I  went  up  to 
Augusta  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  more  than  twice  the  distance  of 
the  road  on  the  west  side,  to  avoid  paying  toll  over  the  bridge,  not 
having  money  to  pay  the  toll. 

When  I  came  to  the  tavern,  I  was  obliged  to  wait  some  time  for  my 
turn,  before  I  was  admitted.  Here  I  was  confronted  by  Charles  Vaughan, 
Ks<|.,  the  agent  of  the  proprietors,  who  was  there  with  two  attorneys. 
They  disputed  my  claim  to  be  heard,  as  I  had  not  been  of  age  a  year, 
when  the  resolve  was  passed  providing  only  for  settlers  who  had  been  on 
the  land  a  year  ;  though  I  had  been  in  possession  more  than  a  year  and 
had  built  a  barn  on  the  lot.  After  a  full  hearing  the  committee  decided 
that  1  had  a  right  to  be  heard,  I  signed  the  submission,  and  my  time 
being  exhausted,  I  had  to  leave  without  making  any  explanation  of  my 
case,  and  without  any  attorney  to  do  it  for  me,  while  the  proprietors  had 
an  efficient  agent  and  the  best  lawyers  in  Augusta  to  manage  for  them.* 
I  saw  roast  beef  on  the  table,  but  could  not  eat  of  it.  for  1  had  no  money 
to  buy  a  dinner.  I  bought  a  good-sized  cracker  for  a  cent,  and  made  a 
dinner  of  this,  and  walked  back  to  Hallowell  the  same  way  that  1  came. 
The  result  of  the  appraisal  was  contrary  to  our  expectations.  Instead 
of  adopting  the  juice  of  lands  made  by  the  State,  they  doomed  us  to 

*  See  note,  p.  36, 


JOURNAL    OF   WILLIAM  ALLEN.  85 

pay  more  than  double.  The  State  price  had  been  from  twenty-five  to 
fifty  cents  an  acre,  and  the  committee  appraised  the  lots  in  Industry, 
from  one  to  two  dollars  and  a  quarter  an  acre.  My  lot  was  put  at  one 
dollar  and  ninety  cents  an  acre,  with  thirteen  months'  interest,  two 
dollars  for  a  deed,  twenty-five  cents  for  the  award  and  seventeen  cents 
for  the  acknowledgement  of  the  deed,  all  to  be  paid  in  specie,  in  Boston, 
before  the  first  day  of  June,  1804.  By  great  exertion,  selling  my  oxen 
and  all  the  grain  and  corn  I  had,  and  borrowing  of  a  friend  in  Winthrop 
ten  dollars,  I  made  the  payment.  I  was  obliged  to  pay  two  dollars  to 
send  the  money  to  Boston.  Thus  my  lot  cost  me  two  hundred  and 
seven  dollars,  instead  of  fifty  dollars  which  I  expected  to  pay. 

There  were  thirty  settlers  who  entered  into  submission  to  have  their 
lands  appraised  ;  ten  only  could  raise  the  money  by  their  own  resources  ; 
ten  others  obtained  assistance  from  friends  who  advanced  the  money 
and  held  the  land  for  security  ;  and  the  other  ten  gave  all  up  and  aban- 
doned their  possessions.  These  commissioners  did  not  go  to  view  any 
of  our  land  as  it  was  expected  they  would  do. 

They  saw  some  fertile  gardens  near  the  beautiful  Kennebec,  received 
glowing  descriptions  of  the  settlers'  lands  from  the  proprietors'  agents, 
and  made  up  their  prices  accordingly.  If  they  had  come  as  far  as  In- 
dustry, and  seen  for  themselves  the  land  covered  with  stones,  and  roads 
so  rude  that  no  wheeled  carriage  could  pass  a  mile  in  any  place  in  town. 
and  if  they  had  seen  the  evidence  of  our  poverty  everywhere  apparent, 
I  am  sure  they  would  not  have  set  the  price  of  our  land  half  as  high  as 
they  did. 

Being  in  Boston  the  summer  of  1S04  on  business  I  saw  Thomas  L. 
Winthrop,  Esq.,  and  tried  to  negotiate  with  him  for  the  land  on  which 
my  father  lived.  He  treated  me  kindly,  invited  me  to  his  house,  paid  a 
bill  for  taxes  which  I  had  against  the  proprietors  ;  but  I  could  make  no 
bargain  about  the  land.  I  had  paid  him  a  high  price  for  my  own  lot, 
twice  as  much  as  it  was  worth,  but  could  get  no  redress. 

RELIGIOUS    SOCIETIES. 

When  we  arrived  at  Sandy  River  in  the  autumn  of  1  79 1  a  powerful 
revival  of  religion  was  in  progress  on  the  west  side  of  the  river  under 
the  labors  of  Elder  Benjamin  Randall,  the  founder  of  the  Free  Will 
Baptist  Society,  assisted  by  Elder  Edward  Locke.  I  attended  their 
meetings  in  the  winter  at  the  house  of  David  Wentworth,  five  miles 
from  home.  The  meeting  was  not  conducted  with  much  order.  Some 
individuals  were  boisterous  and  there  was  much  confusion.  Elder 
Randall  was  a  worthy  christian  minister  and  enjoyed  the  confidence  of 


86  HISTORY   OF  INDUSTRY. 

the  community.     He  did  not  remain  long  in  the  pla< :e  ;  but  exercised  a 
good  influence,  and  laid  the  foundation  of  a  flourishing  society. 

Mr.  Locke  was  regarded  from  the  first  by  the  outsiders  as  an  immoral 
man.  He  attempted  to  establish  a  community  of  goods  for  christians 
to  have  all  things  in  common,  when  it  was  discovered  that  he  was 
managing  to  get  control  of  all  the  property.  The  church  members 
left  him,  and  he  gave  up  preaching  and  abandoned  his  profession  of  piety. 
Notwithstanding  the  apostacy  of  one  who  had  taken  such  a  prominent 
part,  a  Free  Will  Baptist  church  was  established  containing  a  number  of 
excellent  persons,  who  sustained  a  good  reputation  tor  piety  through 
life.  Francis  Tufts  became  the  leader  of  the  society,  and  having  lived 
to  a  great  age  died  in  Ohio. 

In  the  autumn  of  1793  the  interest  had  mostly  subsided  :  and  in 
October.  Rev.  Jesse  Lee.  the  fust  Methodist  preacher  in  Maine,  visited 
this  place  in  his  first  tour  through  the  State.  He  had  no  one  to  intro- 
duce him  or  to  give  notice  of  his  approach. 

After  a  hard  day's  ride  over  bad  roads,  arriving  near  night  at  Star- 
ling's Tavern,  at  Sandy  River,  he  made  known  his  errand  as  a  preacher. 
had  notice  given  to  the  few  who  lived  near,  and  preached  in  the  evening 
at  the  tavern.  A  few  hearers  were  present,  and  among  the  rest.  Mrs. 
Eaton,*  a  worthy  widow  who  perceived  the  speaker  was  a  gentleman  and 
an  extraordinary  preacher,  and  she  thought  he  was  entitled  to  better 
accommodations  than  the  country  tavern  could  afford,  where  he  might 
be  annoyed  by  noisy  company,  and  took  the  preacher  home  with  her 
and  volunteered  to  find  a  better  place  of  entertainment.  The  next 
morning  she  conducted  him  to  Stephen  Titcomb,  Ksip's.  the  best  place 
in  town,  where  Mr.  Lee  was  kindly  received  and  treated  with  hospitality. 
The  family  were  much  interested  in  the  preacher  and  his  doctrines. 
A  daughter  of  thirteen  years  experienced  religion  under  his  instructions, 
and  they  would  gladly  have  persuaded  him  to  remain  longer;  but  his 
arrangements  were  made  to  travel  through  the  interior  of  the  State,  and 
to  return  to  Boston  and  Lynn  before  winter.  He  could  therefore  con 
sent  only  to  stop  a  single  day  in  a  place.  Esquire  Titcomb  gave  him 
directions  as  to  the  most  suitable  houses  to  visit  on  his  route,  where  he 
would  be  well  received,  and  cordially  invited  him  to  come  again.  Mr. 
Lee  then  left  for  Esquire  Read's,  ten  miles  up  the  river.  Esquire  Read 
was  a  magistrate,  respected  for  his  integrity  and  hospitality,  afterwards 
the  proprietor  of  the   township  of  Strong,  Chief  Justice  of  the  Court  of 


♦This  was  undoubtedly    Elizabeth    (Thorn)    Eaton,  relict  of  Jacob   Eaton,  an 
early  pioneer  to  tin-  present  town  "I    Earmington. —  //'.  C.  II. 


JOURNAL    OF    WILLIAM  ALLEN.  $7 

Sessions,  Senator  from  the  county,  a  worthy  citizen,  benevolent,  pleasant 
and  kind.*  He  received  Mr.  Lee  joyfully,  and  became  a  leader  of  the 
Methodists  in  the  town.  The  families  of  Mr.  Read  and  of  Mr.  Tit- 
comb  united  subsequently  with  the  Methodist  Church. 

Mr.  Lee  pursued  his  journey  to  New  Vineyard,  Anson,  and  so 
on  to  the  eastern  part  of  the  State,  attracting  the  attention  of  all 
classes  wherever  he  went,  by  his  personal  appearance,  social  habits 
and  gentlemanly  christian  deportment.  He  had  traveled  extensively 
from  Virginia  to  Maine,  and  was  well  qualified  to  instruct  and  edify 
his  hearers. 

In  June,  1794,  he  made  a  second  visit  to  Sandy  River,  now  incor- 
porated as  Farmington.  Notice  was  given  that  he  would  preach  at 
Mr.  Tutts'st  barn.  This  was  eight  miles  from  where  we  lived.  I  re- 
ceived notice,  and  made  my  way  to  the  meeting  Sunday,  but  did  not 
arrive  till  near  the  close  of  the  forenoon  services.  I  found  a  large 
assembly  present.  When  the  preacher  took  the  stand  in  the  afternoon, 
I  listened  attentively.  I  had  never  heard  such  preaching,  and  under 
his  fervent  appeals  deep  impressions  were  made  on  my  mind,  which 
were  never  lost.  The  swallows  chirped  in  the  barn,  but  nothing  dis- 
turbed the  preacher  or  diverted  the  attention  of  his  hearers.  Several 
who  lived  in  the  upper  part  of  the  town  were  converted  at  this  visit  of 
Mr.  Lee,  and  were  united  in  a  class  with  William  Gay  as  leader.  An- 
other class  was  formed  at  the  Falls.  After  meeting  I  was  invited  by 
Joseph  Titcomb  to  go  home  with  him  to  his  father's  to  supper,  as  the 
preacher  would  be  there.  I  went  with  him  and  was  pleased  with  the 
preacher's  conversation  with  the  children. 

MATRIMONIAL,    ETC. 

I  married  Hannah  Titcomb,  daughter  of  Stephen  and  Elizabeth 
Titcomb,  born  at  Topsham,  Nov.  15,  1780.  She  was  of  good  parent- 
age, and  her  personal  appearance,  good  sense,  domestic  qualifications 
and  sincere  piety  were  not  excelled  by  any  one  within  the  range  of  my 
acquaintance.  Though  I  had  been  acquainted  with  her  for  fifteen 
years,  I  did  not  dare  to  make  proposals  to  her  until  I  had  acquired 
some  reputation  for  industry  and  prudence,  after  I  became  of  age. 
After  our  marriage,  on   the   28th  of  October,  1807,  we  moved  into  our 


*  The  gentleman  here  referred  to  was  William  Read,  of  Strong. —  IV.  C.  II. 
fThis  was   Francis  Tufts,  one    of   the   wealthiest   among   the   early  settlers   in 
Farmington. —  W.  C.  II. 


88  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

new  unfinished  house  at  Industry.*  I  had  exhausted  my  funds  in 
building  too  high  and  large,  and  could  not  finish  it.  I  reserved  a  small 
sum  of  fifty  dollars  for  winter  stores  and  necessary  articles  to  begin 
house-keeping,  which  was  all  spent  in  one  month.  I  abhorred  running 
in  debt,  and  chose  rather  to  leave  home  and  teach  school  to  raise 
funds.  I  took  a  school  for  three  months,  seven  miles  from  home,  at 
$20  per  month,  the  highest  wages  then  given,  and  board  around.  I 
hired  my  wife's  brother  to  take  care  of  the  barn,  get  up  wood  and 
cedar  for  fences.  The  whole  bill  of  cash  expenses  for  support  the  first 
year  was  $128,  besides  the  products  of  the  farm  and  dairy  consumed  at 
home.  We  had  four  cows  and  six  sheep.  We  made  butter  and  cheese. 
My  farm  was  productive,  so  that  we  ever  after  had  bread  and  butter 
enough  and  to  spare.  We  suffered  some  the  first  year  from  the  cold 
house,  and  for  want  of  some  things.  I  had  to  work  hard  to  subdue 
bushes  and  weeds,  but  succeeded,  so  that  it  was  easier  next  year  and 
ever  afterwards,  while  my  health  was  better  than  before.  The  people 
of  the  town  were  kind  and  attentive  to  us,  and  Divine  Providence  raised 
us  up  many  friends. 

At  the  annual  meeting  in  1808  I  was  chosen  chairman  of  the  board 
of  selectmen  with  good  associates.  I  was  continued  in  office  till  my 
removal  to  Norridgewock.  On  the  2d  of  September,  1808,  our  first 
son,  William,  was  born,  who  grew  up  and  became  our  idol.  He  gradu- 
ated at  Bowdoin  College,  was  distinguished  for  literary  attainments, 
and  died  in  early  manhood. 

In  1809  I  was  appointed  special  Justice  of  the  Court  of  Common 
Pleas,  and  officiated  one  term.  I  did  more  business  as  Justice  of  the 
Peace  than  any  other  man  in  the  county. 

The  farm  was  more  productive  from  year  to  year.  I  employed  one 
hand  during  haying,  and  did  the  most  of  the  farm  work  myself.  Our 
second  son,  Stephen,  was  born  March  10,  18 10. 

I  taught  school  in  Farmington  in  1809,  eight  miles  from  home, 
walking  home  Saturdays  and  returning  the  following  Monday  morning. 
In  1 810  I  taught  the  winter  school  in  our  own  district,  and  in  181  1  at 
Norridgewock,  having  a  horse  to  ride  home  on  Saturdays  and  return  on 
Monday,  without  price.  I  had  to  get  up  and  start  before  day  to  go 
fifteen  miles  before  school  time, — which  I  did  not  fail  to  do  for  three 
months. 

In  November,  181 2,   Mr.  Jones,  the   Clerk  of    Courts,  being   sick, 


*  This  house  was  a  roomy  two-story  edifice,  and  the  same  subsequently  occupied 
by  I  >eacon  Ira  Emery  for  many  years.  It  was  destroyed  by  fire,  during  a  severe  gale, 
on  the  evening  of  Feb.  25,  1887. —  IV.  C.  I  J. 


JOURNAL   OF   WILLIAM  ALLEN.  89 

sent  for  me  to  help  him.  When  I  arrived  he  was  confined  to  his  bed. 
I  was  appointed  by  the  Judge,  Clerk  pro  tempore.  I  was  entirely  un- 
acquainted with  the  forms  of  procedure,  but,  with  much  embarrass- 
ment, and  by  the  kind  assistance  of  the  Court,  I  succeeded  quite  well 
in  the  performance  of  my  several  duties. 

George  Jones*  died  January,  1813,  and  I  was  duly  appointed  his 
successor.  On  the  first  of  April,  we  removed  to  Norridgewock,  leaving 
the  farm  at  Industry  in  the  care  of  my  brother  Harrison  and  my  sister 
Deborah. 


*  The  author  is  of  the  opinion  that  this  is  erroneous.  Hanson's  History  of 
Norridgewock  (see  p.  347),  says  that  William  Jones  was  Clerk  of  Courts  in  1S12, 
and   that  William  Allen  was  appointed  his  successor. 


CHAPTER    VI. 
SCHOOLS. 

First    School. — Incompetence  of    Early  Teachers. — The  Log    School-House  on  the 

(.cue. — <  tther   School-Houses. —  High    Schools. —  Free    High    Schools. — Wade's 
Graduating  System. — Text- Hooks. — Statistical. 

'Tis  education  forms  the  common  mind. — Pope. 

SAYS  William  Allen  in  his  History  of  Industry  (see  p.  25), 
"There  were  no  schools  of  an}'  note  before  the  incorporation  of 
the  town.  An  old  maiden  lady*  was  employed  occasionally,  a 
short  time,  to  teach  children  their  letters  and  to  spell  out  words. 
Her  school  was  kept  one  month  in  my  barn.  She  did  what  she 
could  '  to  teach  the  young  idea  how  to  shoot,'  but  was  quite 
incompetent.  I  visited  her  school  on  one  occasion  and  she 
had  a  small  class  advanced  to  words  of  three  syllables  in  the 
spelling-book,  and  when  they  came  to  the  word  'anecdote'  she 
called  it  '  a-neck-dote,'  and  defined  it  to  be  'food  eaten  between 
meals.' 

"When  the  first  town  school  was  put  in  operation,  the 
master  was  quite  deficient  in  every  way.  When  a  boy  hesi- 
tated at  the  word  '  biscuit,'  the  master  prompted  him  rashly — 
'bee  squit,  you  rascal.'  But  during  the  second  year,  a  portion 
of  the  town  united  with  a  district  in  Farmington  which  extended 

*  Campmeeting  John  Allen,  a  younger  brother  of  the  historian,  wrote  the  author 
some  years  prior  to  his  death,  as  follows:  "This  was  Miss  Dependence  Luce, 
daughter  of  Robert  Luce,  an  early  settler  in  Industry.  She  subsequently  married 
Benjamin  I  largess."  The  Industry  town  records  show  Dependence  to  have  been 
born  Nov.  25,  1704.  Robert  Luce  died  in  New  Portland,  in  November,  1857,  aged 
92  years,  hence  he  could  hardly  be  counted  as  the  father  of  Dependence,  although 
he  mav  have  been  her  brother. 


SCHOOLS.  9 1 

from  the  [New]  Vineyard  Gore  to  the  Titcomb  place,  more 
than  four  miles.  The  school  was  kept  in  a  log  school-house, 
near  where  [William]  Mosher  lives,  by  Samuel  Belcher,  a  com- 
petent teacher,  and  our  boys  made  good  progress.  The  master 
boarded  with  us  a  part  of  the  time,  two  miles  from  the  school- 
house.  When  the  road  was  not  broken  out  they  had  to  get 
breakfast  by  candle-light,  in  order  to  be  at  school  in  season." 

Probably  the  first  school-house  erected  within  the  present 
limits  of  the  town  was  one  built  on  the  New  Vineyard  Gore. 
The  date  of  its  erection  is  not  known.  This  house,  which  was 
built  of  logs,  stood  on  the  south  side  of  the  brook  running 
from  the  "Little  Pond"  and  on  the  east  side  of  the  road,  nearly 
opposite  from  where  the  Presson  house  used  to  stand,  the  site 
of  which  is  still  marked  by  a  large  English  poplar.  This  house 
was  burned,  at  an  early  date,  and  another  built  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  brook  on  the  west  side  of  the  road.  In  the  course 
of  time  this  house,  which  was  a  framed  one,  was  thoroughly 
remodeled  and  greatly  improved. 

One  of  the  first  teachers  who  taught  school  on  the  Gore 
was  a  Scotchman  named  Martin.  For  many  years  the  school 
in  this  district  was  one  of  the  largest  in  town,  and  its  pupils 
ranked  high  for  excellence  in  scholarship.  Eventually  the 
attendance  grew  less  and  less,  until  the  school-house  fell  into 
disuse  and  was  torn  down  and  moved  away  about  1863. 

The  second  school-house  in  town  was  built  near  Davis  Cor- 
ner in  1807.  It  was  located  about  one  hundred  rods  north  of 
the  present  school-house  at  Goodridge's  Corner,  near  a  large- 
granite  boulder  by  the  side  of  the  road.  Among  those  who 
taught  here  were  William  Allen,  Jr.,  with  several  of  his  brothers 
and  sisters,  also  Levi  Young  for  three  winter  terms.  Five  years 
later  a  second  house  was  erected  at  the  corner  on  the  site  now 
(1892)  occupied  by  the  factory  of  the  Enterprise  Cheese  Com- 
pany, and   in    1818   the   old  one  was   torn  down.'      The  second 


*  At  the  annual  meeting,  March  12,  1832,  the  town  voted  to  set  the  inhabitant? 
of  Allen's  Mills  off  from  the  Centre  District,  to  form  a  new  school  district.  The 
brick  school-house  now  standing  in  the  village  was  built  in  the  summer  of  1839,  or 
possibly  a  year  later. 


92  HISTORY   OF   INDUSTRY. 

school-house  was  larger  than  the  first,  and  had  the  then  pre- 
vailing style  of  hip  roof.*  The  principal  text-book  in  those 
earl)-  times  was  Noah  Webster's  Spelling-Book,  which  served 
the  three-fold  purpose  of  primer,  elementary  reader  and  spell- 
ing-book. Pupils  more  advanced  used  the  American  Preceptor, 
and  later  the  Columbian  ( )rator.  The  first  mentioned  reader 
was  a  great  favorite  with  the  scholars,  as  was  also  Lindley 
Murray's  English  Reader,  the  second  Hallowell  edition  of  which 
appeared  in  1817.  This  Reader  was  used  for  a  time  con- 
temporaneously with  the  American  Preceptor  and  Columbian 
Orator,  f 

Murray's  Grammar,  published  in  1795,  was  for  many  years 
a  standard  work  and  the  principal  text-book  in  all  schools 
where  the  science  was  taught. \  These,  with  Kinnie's  Arith- 
metic and  Morse's  Geography,  completed  the  curriculum  of 
study  in  the  best  town  schools. 

A  school-house  was  built  near  Butler's  Corner,  in  Industry, 
about  the  same  time  as  the  one  at  Davis  Corner.  This  house 
was  used  jointly  by  residents  of  Industry  and  New  Vineyard. 
It  was  subsequently  removed  to  near  where  the  town  pound 
was  afterwards  located.  The  exact  date  of  its  removal  is  not 
known,  but  it  was  standing  on  the  last  mentioned  site  as  early 
as  1824.  When  it  again  became  necessary  to  change  the  limits 
of  the  district  the  building  was  sold,  and  a  new  one,  known  as 
the  Union  school-house,  erected. §  This  building  was  destroyed 
by  fire,   near   the  close  of   December,    1861,   while    a    term   of 


*  The  present  school-building  in  this  district  was  erected  in  186S,  at  a  cost  of 
$685. 

tA  book  called  the  Art  of  Reading,  was  also  used  in  town  previous  to  or 
simultaneously  with  the  Preceptor  and  Orator. 

J  Grammar  was  studied  but  little  in  the  early  town  schools,  so  far  as  the  writer 
has  been  able  to  ascertain.  As  a  rule  the  pupils'  parents  were  bitterly  opposed  to 
such  an  innovation,  sedulously  maintaining  that  the  studies  embraced  in  the  allitera- 
tive trio,  "reading,  'riting  and  'rithmetic,"  were  all  their  children  required  to  fit  them 
for  an  intelligent  discharge  of  the  high  duties  of  American  citizenship. 

§This  appellation  was  conferred  upon  the  district  in  derision,  not  from  the  fact 
that  several  parts  of  districts  were  united  in  its  formation,  as  main  suppose.  So 
many  different  opinions  existed  as  to  the  most  desirable  location  for  the  house,  that 
outsiders  applied  the  epithet  "  Union  "  to  the  district,  in  a  spirit  ol  le\  ity. 


SCHOOLS.  93 

school  was  in  progress.  After  this  the  schools  were  kept  in 
private  houses,  and  one  term,  at  least,  in  Benjamin  Tibbetts's 
shoe-shop.  The  house  was  rebuilt  in  1864,  by  Mr.  Tibbetts, 
on  contract,  at  a  cost  of  $359-77- 

Ira  Wilson  taught  a  short  term  of  school  in  a  vacant  log- 
house  on  the  land  of  Moses  Tolman,  near  Withee's  Corner,  in 
the  winter  of  1 808-9.  He  was  a  competent  teacher,  and  the 
scholars  made  good  progress.  The  next  summer  the  district 
built  a  school-house,  and  the  following  winter  they  had  nearly 
two  months  of  school.  The  teacher  boarded  around,  and  wood 
was  furnished  by  private  subscription.  Respecting  the  early 
schools  in  this  district,  which  is  known  as  the  Withee's  Corner 
district,  Phineas  Tolman  writes:  "They  were  usually  taught 
by  such  teachers  as  could  be  hired  for  ten  dollars  per  month, 
and  were  commonly  those  without  any  experience." 

Among  other  schools  in  private  houses,  was  an  occasional 
term  kept  at  the  head  of  Clear  Water  Pond  at  the  house  of 
Ammiel  Robbins,  who  lived  on  lot  No.  12  on  the  Lowell  Strip. 
The  term  of  181 3  was  taught  by  Eleazer  Robbins,  a  son  of 
Ammiel,  Sr. 

A  school-house  was  built  near  Daniel  Luce's  on  the  farm 
now  owned  by  James  Ldgecomb,  in  1812.  This  house  had  an 
open  fire-place  and  a  stone  chimney,  which  was  afterward  re- 
placed by  a  brick  one.  It  was  moved  to  the  farm  now  owned 
by  the  heirs  of  Amos  Stetson,  Jr.,  in  1828,  to  better  accommo- 
date the  inhabitants  of  the  district.  Here,  as  well  as  on  the 
Gore,  a  large  number  of  scholars  attended  school,  there  being 
as  many  as  75  or  80  scholars  in  the  district  in  its  palmiest  days. 
Some  fifteen  years  later  a  number  of  the  inhabitants,  feeling 
that  their  accommodations  were  not  the  best,  asked  for  a 
change  in  the  boundaries  of  the  district.  F"or  several  years  the 
town  took  no  notice  of  their  request,  invariably  voting  "  to  pass 
by  the  article;"  but  at  the  annual  meeting  in  1847,  it  was  voted 
to  make  the  required  changes.  The  following  year  the  school- 
house  was  torn  down,  moved  and  erected  on  its  present  site 
near  the  residence  of  William  D.  Norton.  It  is  much  smaller 
now   than   when    first    built,    having  been    cut   down   when   last 


94  HISTORY   OF   INDUSTRY. 

moved.  Formerly  nearly  sixty  scholars  attended  school  in  this 
district,  but  for  the  year  ending  March  I,  1 891,  the  average 
attendance  was  only  five  and  one-half. 

The  first  school-house  erected  for  the  accommodation  of 
those  living  in  the  vicinity  of  West's  Mills,  stood  about  half  or 
two-thirds  of  the  way  up  the  hill  toward  Esq.  Daniel  Shaw's.* 
The  date  of  its  erection  is  not  known,  but  is  thought  to  be 
18  1  2.  About  the  year  1 8 1 <S ,  Sophronia  Mason,  a  daughter  of 
Samuel  Mason,  came  to  Industry,  and  making  her  home  in  the 
family  of  Esquire  Shaw,  taught  three  terms  of  school  in  this 
house. f  Her  pupils  were  from  the  families  of  Esquire  Shaw, 
Deacon  Ira  Emery,  William  Cornforth,  Esquire  Peter  West,  Gil- 
man  Hilton,  Samuel  Pinkham,  and  occasionally  the  children  of 
Jacob  Hayes.  This  school  was  a  large  one,  frequently  number- 
ing seventy  scholars  during  the  winter  terms. 

On  the  8th  day  of  September,  1823,  the  town  voted  to 
divide  this  district,  and  the  inhabitants  of  the  village  of  West's 
Mills  and  as  far  south  as  Deacon  Emery's  south  line,  was  con- 
stituted a  new  district.  A  wooden  building  was  erected  for  a 
school-house  on  the  southeast  part  of  land  now  known  as  the 
old  meeting-house  lot.  This  house  was  burned  in  the  winter 
of  1832-3,  while  Joshua  S.  Thompson  was  teaching  the  winter 
term.  The  succeeding  fall  the  present  brick  edifice  was  built. 
The  work  was  done  on  contract,  by  Christopher  Sanborn  Luce, 
who  hired  Elias  L.  Magoon,  a  Waterville  College  student,  to  do 
the  mason  work.  When  the  house  was  finished  the  building 
committee  refused  to  accept  it,  for  the  reason,  as  they  claimed, 
that  the  foundation  was  not  laid  in  a  workmanlike  manner. 
Matters  were  at  last  amicably  settled  by  a  board  of  referees, 
and  after  fifty-eight  years  the  walls  still  stand,  a  substantial 
monument     to    the    honest)-    ami    integrity   of    their    builder.j 


I  his  farm  is  now  owned  and  occupied   by  Joseph  II.  Saver, 
t  It  was  in  this  school-house  that   the  first   Sunday-School  organized   in  town  was 
wont  to  meet. 

%  The  sum   Mr.  Luce  received  for   this  work   is  not    known,  but  as  a  special  tax 
67. 1 1  was  levied  on  the   inhabitants  of  the  district   that  year,  it   is  supposed   his 
compensation  did  not  exceed  this  amount. 


SCHOOLS.  95 

During  the  time  intervening  between  the  burning  of  the  old 
and  the  completion  of  the  new  school-house,  the  school  was 
kept  in  Wm.  Cornforth's  shed  chamber.  There  were  two  rooms 
in  the  new  brick  building,  one  for  pupils  under  twelve  years  of 
age,  the  other  for  those  above  that  age.  After  five  or  six  years 
the  partition  was  removed  and  the  two  departments  of  the 
school  consolidated.  Among  the  early  teachers  of  note  in  this 
district  were:  Abraham  Wendell,'  of  Farmington,  Howard  B. 
Abbott,  who  taught  in  the  brick  school-house  in  1835,  and 
Phineas  Tolman.  of  Industry.  The  latter  was  a  strict  disci- 
plinarian, and  woe  to  the  luckless  wight  who  disobeyed  his 
rules.  It  is  said  that  he  sometimes  whipped  disobedient  pupils 
unmercifully.!  Henry  Cushman,  of  Farmington,  was  an  ex- 
cellent teacher,  and  very  generally  liked.  He  frequently  taught 
in  Industry,  and  many  of  the  older  citizens  remember  him 
pleasantly. 

There  was  a  school-house  in  the  south  part  of  the  town 
near  Esquire  John  Gower's.  This  school  was  largely  attended 
for  man}'  years,  and  included  some  of  the  finest  scholars  in 
town.  The  school-house  and  most  of  the  district  were  set  ofi 
to  New  Sharon  in  1S52. 

After  West's  Mills  was  set  off  from  the  Esquire  Shaw  dis- 
trict, the  school-house  was  moved  to  the  south  of  the  Esquire 
Daniel  Shaw  farm.  At  length,  after  many  years'  service,  this 
building  became  so  dilapidated  that  for  some  time  prior  to 
1SS7,  the  schools  were  kept  in  a  private  house.  In  that  year 
the  district  voted  to  move  and  repair  the  building,  and  chose 
Joseph    H.    Sayer,   Nathan  W.  Johnson   and   David  M.  Foss,  a 


*  Mr.  Wendell  hoarded  at  Deacon  Ira  Emery's  while  teaching,  and  studied 
medicine  with  Doctor  John  A.  Barnard,  who  also  hoarded  at  the  Deacon's.  He 
eventually  went  to  South  America,  and  became  one  of  the  most  skillful  physicians 
and  surgeons  of  that  country.     He  died  in  New  York  City,  Sept.  16,  1872. 

t  A  predominant  idea  with  many  of  the  early  teachers  seems  to  have  been  that 
a  great  amount  of  physical  force  was  required  to  successfully  govern  a  district  school, 
and  some  were  harsh  and  even  cruel.  Elihu  Norton  once  taught  school  at  West's 
Mills,  and  on  one  occasion  pulled  quite  a  large  lock  of  hair  from  a  pupil's  head  in 
cdWecting  him.  A  female  teacher  in  the  same  school  once  whipped  a  pupil  till  the 
blood  ran  down  his  back. 


96  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

committee  to  superintend  the  removal  and  repairs.  As  soon 
as  the  haying  season  was  over  the  house  was  hauled  to  its 
present  site,  known  as  Thompson's  Corner  in  early  times,  and 
repairs  immediately  begun.  The  roof  was  raised  and  the  whole 
structure  thoroughly  remodeled  and  transformed  into  one  of 
the  most  attractive  and  pleasant  school-houses  in  town.  These 
repairs  necessitated  the  expenditure  of  over  four  hundred  dol- 
lars, which  was  raised  by  a  special  tax.  Among  the  early 
teachers  in  that  school  may  be  mentioned,  Hezekiah  Merrick, 
of  Pittsfteld,  George  W.  Luce  and  Daniel  S.  Johnson,  of  In- 
dustry. 

HIGH    SCHOOLS. 

The  first  term  of  high  school  in  town  was  opened  at 
West's  Mills,  in  the  month  of  September,  1832,  as  nearly  as 
the  writer  can  learn.  It  was  established  mainly  through  the 
instrumentality  of  Deacon  Ira  Emery,  a  gentleman  who  had 
always  manifested  a  deep  interest  in  educational  matters.  The 
school  was  taught  by  Carlton  Parker,  a  Waterville  College  stu- 
dent, and  proved  a  decided  success.  Among  those  who  gave 
it  their  support  were  the  families  of  Esquire  Peter  West,  Wil- 
liam Cornforth,  Thomas  Cutts,  David,  Daniel  and  Rowland 
Luce,  David  M.  Luce,  Esquire  James  Stanley,  Esquire  Daniel 
Shaw,  Rev.  Datus  T.  Allen,  Jacob  Hayes,  James  Eveleth,  Jr., 
,Obed  Norton,  the  four  Manter  families,  Esquire  Samuel  Shaw 
and  others.  Says  Rev.  Ira  Emery:  "That  high  school  was  one 
of  the  best  ever  taught,  and  I  firmly  believe  it  gave  an  impetus 
to  the  educational  interests  of  the  town  that  has  not  yet  died 
out."  Mr.  Parker  also  preached  for  the  Baptists  occasionally 
while  here.  Two  years  later  (1834)  Hezekiah  Merrick,  of 
Pittsfield,  opened  a  high  school  in  the  new  brick  school-house 
at  West's  Mills.  Mr.  Merrick  was  an  excellent  scholar  and 
could  teach  algebra,  but  was  not  very  successful  as  a  teacher. 
The  same  year  there  was  a  term  of  high  school  at  Goodridge's 
Corner,  taught  by  Sylvanus  Sargent,  also  a  Waterville  College 
student.  He  afterwards  became  a  successful  minister  of  the 
Baptist  Church  in  this  State,  and    in    1883  resided   in  Augusta, 


SCHOOLS.  97 

Maine.      Mr.  Sargent   also    taught  a   term  of  district  school   at 
the  same  place  in  1836. 

Moses  J.  Kelley,  of  New  Sharon,  another  Waterville  College 
student,  taught  a  term  of  high  school  at  Goodridge's  Comer 
about  1  838.  Others  were  taught  in  after  years  by  Joshua  S.  and 
William  Thompson,  sons  of  James  Thompson  of  Stark,  who  were 
likewise  students  at  Waterville.  John  Dinsmore,*  of  Anson,  a 
very  excellent  teacher,  taught  a  term  of  high  school  at  West's 
Mills,  in  the  fall  of  1844,  and  was  so  well  liked  that  the  district 
employed  him  for  the  succeeding  winter  and  summer  terms. 

John  W.  Colcord,  a  student  at  Waterville  College,  from  New 
Hampshire,  taught  a  term  of  high  school  in  Esquire  Daniel 
Shaw's  district  in  the  fall  of  I  840.  The  term  was  a  very  pleas- 
ant and  fairly  profitable  one,  and  the  attendance  large.  Among 
other  teachers  of  high  schools  in  Industry,  may  be  mentioned 
J.  S.  Houghton,  J.  Milford  Merchant,  of  Belgrade,  George 
Nickerson,  son  of  Rev.  Heman  Nickerson,  M.  A.  Cochrane,  of 
Litchfield,  Llewellyn  Luce,  of  Readfield,  and  Charles  Lawrence. 
David  Church,  afterward  for  seventeen  years  a  successful  minis- 
ter of  the  Methodist  Conference,  taught  an  eminently  profitable 
term  of  high  school  at  West's  Mills,  in  the  fall  of  1853.  A. 
FitzRoy  Chase  also  taught  a  term  of  high  school  at  the  same 
place  in  the  spring  of  1865.  Mr.  Chase  was  an  excellent 
teacher,  and  afterward  became  a  professor  in  the  Maine  Wes- 
leyan  Seminary  and  Female  College  at  Kent's  Hill,  Maine.  A 
term  was  taught  in  the  fall  of  1866,  by  Bradford  F.  Lancaster, 
of  Anson.  There  was  a  large  attendance,  and  the  school 
proved   fairly  successful. 

FREE    HIGH    SCHOOLS. 

The  Free  High  School  law  having  been  enacted  February 
24,  1873,  the  town,  at  its  annual  meeting  in  1875,  voted  to  ap- 
propriate the  sum  of  one  hundred  and   fifty  dollars  for  the  sup- 


*  Mr.  Dinsmore,  while  connected  with  the  village  school,  effected  several  im- 
portant changes.  In  the  summer  of  1S47,  tne  interior  of  the  school-house  was 
entirely  refinished  and  much  improved.  Mr.  Dinsmore  also  set  out  trees  about  the 
grounds,  and  strove  in  every  way  to  render  the  house  and  its  surroundings  pleasant 
and  attractive. 


HISTORY    (>/■'    FNDUSTRY. 

port  of  such  schools.  The  location  of  these  schools  was  to  be 
left  with  the  selectmen  and  supervisor,  who  decided  that  one 
should  be  established  at  Goodridge's  Corner  and  the  other  at 
West's  Mills.  Freelan  0.  Stanley,  of  Kingfield,  was  employed 
to  teach  the  Goodridge  Corner  school,  and  Frank  F.  Whitticr, 
of  Farmington  Falls,  for  the  one  at  West's  Mills,  and  both  opened 
simultaneously.  These  schools  closed  about  the  middle  of 
November,  and  were  in  even'  respect  a  success.  The  following 
year  the  town  voted  to  "  pass  by  the  article"  relative  to  raising 
money  for  the  support  of  free  high  schools,  and  in  1877, 
voted  to  appropriate  the  unexpended  money  of  1875  "  to  the 
use  of  the  town."  No  term  of  free  high  school  was  main- 
tained in  town  during  the  year  1878.  The  State  Legislature  of 
1879  suspended  the  law  by  which  they  were  established,  for 
one  year,  consequently  no  term  was  held  in  Industry  until  the 
fall  of  1880.  On  the  sixth  day  of  September,  Adelbert  O. 
Frederic,  of  Stark,  who  had  taught  the  village  school  the 
previous  winter,  opened  a  free  high  school  at  West's  Mills.* 
Mr.  Frederic  was  an  earnest  thorough-going  teacher,  and  the 
work  done  in  the  schoolroom  was  highly  satisfactory  to  all 
concerned. 

Holmes  H.  Bailey,  of  Industry,  a  graduate  of  the  regular 
and  advanced  course  of  the  Farmington  State  Normal  School, 
and  a  teacher  of  wide  experience,  made  an  effort  to  establish  a 
free  high  school  at  West's  Mills,  in  the  fall  of  1881.  Having 
received  assurance  of  abundant  pecuniary  aid  from  those  inter- 
ested, he  opened  the  school  before  the  district  had  formally 
ratified  the  measure  by  a  vote.  When  the  district  meeting  was 
called  to  legalize  the  school,  a  certain  dissatisfied  clique,  not  in 
the  least  interested  in  the  matter  of  education,  defeated  the 
measure,  and  Mr.  Bailey  was  compelled  to  close  his  school. 
The   next    fall    an    adjoining    district  established    a   school,   and 


*The  catalogue  of  this  school  slums  a  total  attendance  of  forty  pupils,  an  aver- 
age attendance  of  thirty-two  and  forty-one  liftieths.  The  average  rank  in  deportment 
v  as  ninety-eight  and  seven-eighths.  The  studies  taught  in  addition  to  reading,  spell- 
ing and  writing,  were  arithmetic,  algebra,  grammar,  geography,  book-keeping,  physi- 
ology and   natural  philosophy. 


SCHOOLS.  99 

engaged   Mr.  Bailey  as  teacher.      The  term  proved   both   pleas- 
ant and   profitable. 

In  the  spring  of  1883,  a  free  high  school  was  established 
at  Goodridge's  Corner,  and  Sylvester  S.  Wright  was  employed 
as  principal.  Mr.  Wright  was  an  indefatigable  worker  in  the 
school-room  and  inspired  his  pupils  with  his  own  enthusiasm 
and  love  of  learning,  thus  rendering  the  term  one  of  impor- 
tance and  worth.  In  the  autumn  of  the  same  year  he  taught 
a  term  at  West's  Mills.  This  school  was  also  well  attended  and 
fair!}'  prosperous. 

The  greatest  revolution  known  in  the  educational  annals  of 
Industry  was  effected  in  the  fall  of  1882,  when  School  Super- 
visor Sylvester  S.  Wright  adopted  "  Wade's  Graduating  Sys- 
tem for  town  schools."  Hitherto  the  pupils  in  the  schools  of 
Industry  had  plodded  along  term  after  term  and  year  after  year 
without  any  really  definite  object  in  view.  Neither  had  they 
much  knowledge  of  their  attainments  at  the  close  of  a  term 
aside  from  the  fact  that  they  had  conned  the  lessons  in  such  a 
portion  of  their  text-books. 

It  is  an  undeniable  fact  that  to  attain  the  best  results  from 
a  course  of  stud}',  the  pupil  should  have  some  definite  object 
in  view,  some  goal  for  which  to  strive.  This  incentive  to  study 
the  graduating  system  supplied,  in  the  form  of  a  diploma, 
signed  by  the  supervisor,  certifying  that  the  holder  had  com- 
pleted the  prescribed  course  of  study  and  passed  a  satisfactory 
examination  in  the  required  branches.  Furthermore,  the  exact 
standing  of  the  pupil  during  the  course  was  also  known,  for  at 
the  close  of  each  term  his  thoroughness  and  proficiency  were 
carefully  ascertained  by  a  series  of  tests,  and  the  pupil  ranked 
accordingly.  The  course  embraced  four  years'  stud)-,  and 
could  be  begun  by  any  scholar  "who  could  read  well  in  Mon- 
roe's Third  Reader  or  its  equivalent,  were  familiar  with  the  four 
fundamental  principles  of  arithmetic,  and  equally  as  far  ad- 
vanced  in  writing  and  spelling." 

The  course  of  stud}-  included  arithmetic,  geography,  gram- 
mar, United  States  history,  book-keeping,  physiology,  civil 
government,   reading,  writing  and   spelling.      The  completion  of 


IOO  HISTORY   OF  INDUSTRY. 

the  course  qualified  the  pupil  to  teach  in  ordinary  town  schools. 
The  first  class  of  ten  graduated  under  this  system  April  13, 
[883,  at  the  close  of  the  term  of  free  high  school  at  Good- 
ridge's  Corner,  with  the  most  satisfactory  results. 

The  examination  questions*  were  of  the  most  thorough 
and  searching  character,  and  the  average  rank  of  the  class  was 
a  fraction  over  eighty-five;  an  average  of  sixty-five  per  cent. 
being  required  to  graduate.  The  class  color  was  cardinal  red, 
and  its  motto,  "  No  excellence  can  be  attained  without  labor." 
The  final  exercises  occurred  in  the  evening,  and  the  roomy 
school-house  was  well  filled  on  that  occasion.  The  following 
interesting  programme  was  carried  out  to  the  credit  of  the  class 
and   to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  teacher  and   friends  : 

Music. 

1.  Recitation. — Drafted.  Lena  M.  Swift. 

2.  Declamation. — Northern   Laborers.  [rank    H.Bailey. 

Music. 

3.  Select  Reading. — How  he  Saved  St.  Michael's.  Altina   R.  Brainard 

4.  Declamation. — Danger  of  the  Spirit  of  Conquest.  Charles  R.  Fish. 

Music. 

5.  Reading. — Face  against  the  Pane.  Nellie  Swift. 
0.     Declamation. —  Patriotism.                                                               David   M.Norton. 

Music. 

7.  Reading. — The  Wreck  of  the  Pocahontas.  Clara  A.  fohnson. 

8.  Reading.  Nathan  W,  Johnson. 

Music. 

9.  Declamation. — Progress  of  Civilization.  Lucian  W.  Goodridge. 

10.  Class  Prophecy.  Bertha  E.  Johnson. 

11.  Singing. — Class  Song.  I  lass 

12.  Conferring  of   Diplomas.  Supervisor  S.S.Wright. 

Nearly  every  member  of  this  class  has  been  engaged  in 
teaching  more  or  less  since  graduating,  and  so  far  as  is  known, 
their  labors  have  been  attended  with  a   good   degree  of  success. 

The  second  class  of  nine,  graduated  August  30,  1  KSq.  The 
following  report  of  the  exercises  was  written  by  the  author,  and 
appeared   in  the  Farmington  Chronicle  of  Sept.  4,   [884: 

"  Saturday,  August  30,  was  a  red-letter  day  in  the  educa- 
tional   annals  of  the   town  of  Industry.      On   that   occasion    the 

*  For  a  list  of  the  questions  used,  see  Chapter  XX.  <>f  this  work. 


SCHOOLS. 


IOI 


second  class  graduated  from  the  public  schools  of  the  town, 
with  honor  to  themselves  and  credit  to  their  instructors. 
Nearly  two  years  ago  a  plan  of  study  known  as  Wade's  Gradu- 
ating System  was  adopted  by  our  school  supervisor,  and  in  the 
spring  of  1883  the  first  class  of  ten  pupils  completed  the 
course  of  study  recommended  by  this  system.  It  was  expected 
that  a  second  class  would  graduate  in  the  spring  of  1884,  but 
for  various  reasons  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  postpone  the 
final  exercises  until  the  evening  of  August  30,  when  they  oc- 
curred at  the  Centre  Meeting-House  in  this  town.  The  house 
was  tastefully  decorated  with  flowers  for  the  occasion,  and  the 
programme  was  varied  and  interesting.  Had  not  the  early  part 
of  the  day  been  rainy  and  the  weather  at  sunset  unpropitious, 
we  believe  that  a  full  house  would  have  honored  the  graduat- 
ing class.  Notwithstanding  these  unfavorable  circumstances  a 
goodly  number  were  present,  among  whom  were  Prof.  William 
Harper  and  Rev.  Charles  H.  Pope  of  Farmington ;  also  Miss 
Viola  A.  Johnson,  of  Industry,  principal  of  the  primary  depart- 
ment of  the  Farmington  State  Normal  School,  and  a  num- 
ber of  Industry's  most  successful  teachers.  The  graduating 
class,  numbering  nine,  was  divided  as  follows:  Regular  course, 
May  J.  Daggett,  Capitola  Daggett,  Annie  M.  Luce,  Sadie  R. 
.Oliver,  Ella  Odell  and  James  Bailey.  Advanced  course,  Lucien 
W.  Goodridge,  David  M.  Norton  and  Frank  H.  Bailey.  The 
programme  : 


Prayer. 

Reading. — Young  Ambition. 

Recitation. — My  Psalm. 


Music 


Mi 


Declamation. — The  Freeman. 
Select   Reading. — Youth. 
Reading. — St.  Augustine's  Ladder. 

Music. 
Extract. — Events  of  Jefferson's  Administration. 
Recitation. — Little  by  Little. 
Declamation. — Dangers  to  our  Republic. 
Song. — All  Things  are  beautiful. 
Remarks. 
Conferring  of  Diplomas. 


Prof.  William  Harper. 

Sadie   R.  Oliver. 

Capitola  Daggett. 

Lucien  W.  Goodridge. 

Ella  Odell. 

May  J.  Daggett. 

James  Bailey. 

Annie  M.  Luce. 

David  M.  Norton. 

Choir. 

Prof.  William  Harper. 

Supervisor   Holmes   H.  Bailey. 


I02  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

"In  his  remarks,  Prof.  Harper  spoke  in  eminently  compli- 
mentary terms  of  the  graduating  class,  and  expressed  a  hope 
that  they  would  continue  their  labors  in  the  pursuit  of  knowl- 
edge. He  also  explained  in  a  brief  but  lucid  manner  the 
resulting  benefits  of  the  graduating  system  for  town  schools. 
Supervisor  Bailey  earnestly  requested  the  support  of  his  towns- 
men in  behalf  of  this  newly  adopted  system.  He  also  spoke, 
from  a  personal  knowledge  of  the  honesty  and  integrity  of  the 
members  of  the  class,  to  whom  he  was  about  to  award  diplomas. 
He  further  stated  that  the  average  rank  of  this  class  in  their 
final  examination  was  but  a  fraction  short  of  ninety  per  cent. 
The  singing  of  that  good  old  tune,  America,  followed  the 
awarding  of  the  diplomas,  in  which  the  audience  were  invited 
to  join.  Rev.  Charles  H.  Pope  then  held  the  close  attention  of 
the  assembly  for  nearly  half  an  hour,  in  a  lecture  on  the  '  Centre 
of  the  Earth.'  The  lecture,  though  delivered  extemporaneously, 
abounded  in  choice  gems  of  thought  and  witty  allusions.  As 
a  whole,  it  was  an  effort  of  much  ability,  and  would  have  done 
honor  to  any  public  speaker.  A  vote  of  thanks  was  tendered 
Messrs.  Pope  and  Harper  for  their  generous  aid,  and  all  de- 
parted well  pleased  with  the  entertainment  and  instruction 
that  the  evening  had  afforded. 

"  Industry,  which  has  heretofore  borne  an  excellent  reputation 
for  its  many  tine  scholars,  has  good  reason  to  feel  proud  of  its 
class  of  18X4,  for  whom  we  predict  a  brilliant  future.  Good 
music  added  much  to  the  enjoyment  of  the  occasion,  and  the 
untiring  efforts  of  Supervisor  Bailey  are  deserving  of  great 
credit,  as  we  believe  upon  them,  in  a  large  measure,  depended 
the  success  of  the    whole  affair." 

The  third  class,  numbering  ten  pupils,  graduated  June  20, 
[885,  the  final  exercises  occurring  at  the  Centre  Meeting- 
I  louse  on  the  evening  of  that  daw  This  class,  composed 
wholly  of  young  ladies,  it  is  believed,  will  fully  sustain  the 
good  reputation  which  former  classes  have  gained  for  the 
graduating  system  in  Industry.  The  floral  decorations  of  the 
church    were    very    beautiful,    and    excellent    vocal    and    instru- 


SCHOOLS. 


IO- 


mental  music  added  much  to  the  pleasure  and  interest  of  the 
exercises.  The  following  is  a  list  of  the  graduates  from  the 
adoption  of  the  system  up  to  June  i,  1892:* 


Bailey,  Frank   H., 
Bailey,  James  A., 
Brainerd,  Altina  R., 
Daggett,  Capitola, 
Daggett,  Mary  J., 
Fish.  Charles  R., 
j  ( roodridge,  Lucien  W. 
Johnson,  Bertha   E., 
Johnson,  Clara  A., 
Johnson,  Georgia  F.. 
Johnson,  Nathan  \Y., 
Keith,  Almeda, 
Keith,  Annie   L., 
Kyes,  Alberta   M., 
Luce,  Annie   M., 
Norton,  Daviil    M., 
Odell,  Ella  M., 
(  Hiver,  Minnie    E., 
( )liver,  Sadie   R., 
Rackliff,  Fannie   I., 
Rackliff,  Lilian   M., 
Swift,  Lena  M., 
Swift,  Nellie, 
Swift,  Olive  A., 
True,  Carrie   M., 
True,  Nellie   M., 


( 'lass, 


883T 

884. 

883. 

884. 

884. 

883. 

883T 

883. 

8S3. 

885. 

883. 

885. 

885. 

SS5. 

884. 

883T 

S84. 

885. 

884. 

885. 

885. 

883. 

S83. 

883. 

885. 

885. 


TEXT-BOOKS. 

The  old  English  Reader,  which  had  served  so  long  and 
faithfully  as  a  text-book  for  the  higher  classes  in  reading,  was 
superseded    by   the    National    series,    compiled    by    Rev.   John 


*  Though  no  action  has  been  taken  to  repeal  the  graduating  system  since  its 
adoption  in  1SS2,  it  is  a  matter  of  regret  that  no  class  has  graduated  since  1885. 
Whether  this  is  due  to  a  want  of  interest  on  the  part  of  school  officers,  or  whether 
the  fault  lies  wholly  with  the  pupils,  the  writer  will  not  attempt  to  determine. 

t  Also  a  graduate  in  the  advanced  course  in  1884. 

X  Died  March  5,  1886. 


104  HISTORY   OF    INDUSTRY. 

Pierpont,  the  poet-preacher.  This  scries  consisted  of  the 
"Young  Reader,"  " Introductory   Reader,"   "National    Reader" 

and  "American  First  Class  Book."  These  books  were  first 
introduced  by  Carleton  Parker,  while  teaching  a  term  of  high 
school  at  West's  Mills,  in  the  fall  of  [832.  At  that  time  the 
importance  of  uniformity  in  text-books  was  not  well  understood, 
hence  some  years  elapsed  before  it  came  into  general  use,  and 
when  other  readers  began  to  take  its  place,  the  National  series 
was  used  contemporaneously  with  its  new  rival  for  a  long  time. 
The  Young  Reader  was  supplanted  by  the  "  Primary  Class- 
Book,  "  which  contained  an  excellent  collection  of  prose  and 
poetry.  This  book  was  a  great  favorite,  and  was  used  in  town 
for  many  years. 

John  Dinsmore,  when  he  first  taught  in  Industry,  introduced 
into  his  school  at  West's  Mills,  "The  Rhetorical  Reader,"  a 
collection  of  prose  and  poetry  compiled  and  arranged  by 
Ebenezer  Porter,  D.  D.  This  reader,  it  is  believed,  never  came 
into  general  use.  There  was  no  effort  made  to  secure  a  uni- 
formity in  text-books  until  the  introduction  of  Dr.  Salem  Town's 
series  of  readers  and  spellers.'  Dr.  Town's  readers  proved 
very  popular,  and  as  Rev.  Ira  Emery  says,  "were  the  standard 
scries  for  many  years."  About  1859,  this  series  began  to  give 
way  to  the  Progressive  series,  by  the  same  auther.  These  books 
soon  came  into  general  use,  and,  like  their  predecessors,  were 
much  liked.  The  Progressive  Readers  continued  in  use  until 
the  winter  of  1869-70,  when  David  M.  Norton,  chairman  of 
the  board  of  superintending  school  committee,  visited  the 
schools  of  the  town  and  introduced  books  of  the  Union  series, 
exchanging  even-handed  for  the  old  books.  The  compiler  of 
this  series  was  Charles  W.  Sanders,  A.  M.  The  selections  in 
the  Fifth  or  higher  reader  were  not  of  that  character  calculated  to 
interest  pupils,  though  in  the  other  numbers  the}-  were  very 
good.      The    spelling-book   contained    the    largest  collection  of 


*The  present  multiplicity  of  school  text-books  was  a  thing  wholly  unknown  to 
pupils  in  the  early  town  schools.  The  English  Reader,  Webster's  Spelling-Book,  etc., 
had  hut  few  if  any  rivals,  consequently  teachers  and  school  officers  experienced  no 
great  inconvenience  from  want  of   uniformity  in  text-books. 


SCHOOLS.  105 

unintelligible  words  ever  grouped  together  for  the  use  of 
schools.  These  readers  continued  in  use  until  1873.  At  this 
time,  Joseph  L.  Coughlin,  supervisor  of  schools,  introduced  the 
Franklin  Readers,  by  George  S.  Hillard,  to  a  limited  extent. 
In  1879,  the  writer,  having  been  chosen  supervisor,  found  such 
a  diversity  of  reading-books  in  use  in  the  schools  of  the  town, 
that  he  deemed  a  change  of  books  an  imperative  necessity. 
There  were  found  to  be  the  books  of  no  less  than  eight  differ- 
ent authors  in  use,  and  one  little  fellow  was  found  learning  to 
read   from  an  old  copy  of  Webster's  Spelling-Book. 

Prof.  Lewis  Monroe's  series  of  readers  and  spellers  were 
selected  as  best  adapted  to  the  wants  of  the  schools,  and  a 
thorough  exchange  made  by  which  a  uniformity  of  books,  in 
two  important  branches — reading  and  spelling — was  secured. 
The  spellers,  two  in  number,  were  made  up  of  exercises  con- 
taining practical  words  in  every-day  use. 

Notwithstanding  its  euphonious  name,  Webster's  "  New 
Pleasing  Spelling-Book"  was  anything  but  pleasing  to  the 
pupils  who  were  obliged  to  con  its  difficult  lessons.  Rev.  Ira 
Emery,  who  studied  this  book  under  the  tuition  of  Elihu  Nor- 
ton, thus  writes  of  his  recollections:  "I  remember  the  spell- 
ing-book very  well,  for  our  lessons  were  hard  to  learn,  and  old 
Elihu  would  put  it  on  to  us  if  we  did  not  'say  them  well.'  Its 
hard  words  were  anything  but  pleasing  to  us."  Later,  Web- 
ster's New  Elementary  Spelling-Book  was  published,  and  in 
time  displaced  its  famous  predecessor.  The  Elementary  was  a 
decided  improvement  over  the  Pleasing,  and  Dr.  Salem  Town's 
Speller  an  improvement  over  both.  The  words  were  more 
practical  in  Town's  Speller,  and  many  of  them  were  defined  by 
one  or  more  synonyms. 

Kinnie's  Arithmetic,  by  William  Kinnie,  A.  M.,  was  much 
used  in  the  early  town  schools  of  Industry.  This  work  was 
published  by  Goodale,  Glazier  &  Co.,  of  Hallowell,  and  was 
several  times  revised  by  Daniel  Robinson,  for  many  years  editor 
of  the  Maine  Farmer's  Almanac.  This  arithmetic  contained 
many  knotty  questions,  and  was  in  its  day  the  standard  by 
which  the  mathematical  acquirements  of  the  pupil  were  gauged. 


[06  HISTORY   (>/■'   rNDUSTRY. 

The  writer  has  frequently  heard  in  his  younger  days  some  of 
the  older  people  boast  of  their  ability  to  solve  "the  grindstone 
question,"  which  was  considered  one  of  the  most  difficult  in  the 
book.  At  the  high  school  taught  by  Carlton  Parker,  in  1832, 
Nelson  C.  Luce  used  Colburn's  Mental  Arithmetic,  which  was 
regarded  as  a  great  curiosity,  and  was  probably  the  only  one  of 
the  kind  in  town  at  that  time.  As  a  successor  to  Kinnie's 
Arithmetic,  came  a  "  Practical  and  Mental  Arithmetic"  by  Ros- 
well  C.  Smith.  The  latter  was  less  difficult  than  the  former, 
and  for  some  years  the  pupils  were  about  equally  divided  in 
their  preferences. 

About  the  time  of  the  appearance  of  Smith's  Arithmetic, 
Glazier,  Masters  &  Co.,  of  Hallow  ell,  published  the  "North 
American  Arithmetic,"  by  Frederick  Emerson.  This  work  was 
used  to  a  very  limited  extent  in  the  schools  of  Industry.  Smith's 
New  Arithmetic  was  superior  to  any  of  its  predecessors,  yet  it 
did  not  come  into  general  use  in  the  town.  There  was 
really  no  uniformity  in  mathematical  text-books  until  Benjamin 
Greenleaf's  series  was  adopted.  At  first  this  series  consisted 
of  the  Common  School  and  National  Arithmetics,  and  after- 
wards of  an  elementary  book  for  beginners.  This  excellent 
series  was  for  a  long"  time  a  favorite,  and  until  very  recently 
Greenleaf's  Practical  Arithmetic,  which  superseded  The  Com- 
mon School,  was  largely  used.  Fish  &  Robinson's  Arithmetic 
was  also  used  to  some  extent  as  the  successor  of  the  Practical. 

The  only  text-books  in  algebra  were  Colburn's  and  Benja- 
min Greenleaf's.  These  were  used  only  to  a  limited  extent  in 
the  high  schools  of  the  town. 

To  aid  beginners  in  the  study  of  English  grammar,  Ezekiel 
Goodale,  of  Hallowell,  conceived  the  idea  of  publishing  an 
abridgement  of  Murray's  English  Grammar.  This  work  was 
copyrighted  in  1812,  and  was  printed  at  Hallowell  by  a  firm  ol 
which  Mr.  Goodale  was  a  member.  This  book,  a  small  16-mo 
volume  of  68  pages,  in  connection  with  Murray's  work,  was 
used  in  town  for  many  years.  The  next  text-book  in  grammar 
which  came  into  use  in  Industry  was  "Murray's  English 
Grammar  simplified,"  by  Allen   Fisk  and  published  by  Glazier, 


SCHOOLS.  IOJ 

Masters  &  Company.  "Green's  Grammar,"  by  Roscoe  Green, 
was  much  used  in  after  years,  but  did  not  entirely  supersede  the 
text-book  of  Fisk.  About  the  time  of  the  introduction  of 
Town's  readers,  "Weld's  Grammar"  made  its  appearance  and 
was  soon  in  general  use  throughout  the  town.  Up  to  this  time 
the  exercises  for  parsing  had  usually  been  selected  from  the 
pupil's  reading-book,  or  perhaps  from  "Pope's  Essay  on  Man;" 
but  after  Weld's  Grammar  had  gained  considerable  popularity, 
"Weld's  Parsing-Book,"  a  collection  of  prose  and  poetry,  was 
given  to  the  public. 

In  1859,  Ira  Emery,  Jr.,  supervisor  of  schools,  made  a 
thorough  canvass  of  the  town  and  introduced  Gould  Brown's 
series  of  grammars.  After  a  year  or  two,  Weld's  Grammar, 
revised  by  George  P.  Quackenbos,  was  again  introduced  into 
the  schools.  This  text-book  continued  in  use  nearly  ten  years, 
although  in  a  few  of  the  larger  schools  "  Quackenbos's  English 
Grammar"  gained  considerable  popularity. 

About  1869  or  1870,  Simon  Kerl's  English  Grammar  began 
to  find  place  in  some  schools,  and  so  popular  did  it  prove  with 
both  pupil  and  teacher  that  in  the  course  of  a  few  years  it 
came  into  general  use  throughout  the  town. 

In  [881,  Holmes  H.  Bailey,  supervisor,  adopted,  for  the 
term  of  five  years,  William  Swinton's  "Language  Lessons"  and 
"School  Composition"  as  the  legal  text-books  in  grammar. 

Not  until  about  i860,  or  a  little  later,  was  United  States 
history  introduced  into  the  schools  of  the  town  as  a  study,  and 
then  only  to  a  very  limited  extent.  As  late  as  1877,  according 
to  the  school-registers  there  was  but  one  pupil  in  town  who 
studied  history.  In  1883  there  were  forty-five  pupils  in  this 
study,  and  for  the  year  ending  March  1,  1891,  the  number  was 
forty-two.  The  earliest  text-book  used  was  one  by  George 
Payn  Quackenbos.  In  1879  a  few  copies  of  Higginson's 
"School  History  of  the  United  States"  were  introduced  into 
one  or  two  schools.  The  following  year  a  superintending 
school  committee  of  three  was  elected.  While  in  office  this 
committee  adopted  "Barnes's  School  History,"  a  very  excellent 
work,  for  the  term  of  five  years  as  prescribed  by  law. 


108  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

Probably  the  first  pupils  in  book-keeping  in  this  town  were 
a  small  class  organized  at  West's  Mills  in  the  winter  of  I  866-7, 
while  F.  Ronello  Fassett  was  teaching  the  winter  term  of  the 
village  school.  As  this  study  was  not  included  in  the  regular 
course,  Mr.  fassett  kindly  met  with  the  class,  of  which  the 
writer  was  a  member,  in  the  evening.  Among  the  members  of 
this  class  were  Albert  Willis,  Albanus  1).  Quint,  Alanson 
C.  Bruce,  Hiram  L.  Manter  and  Malon  Patterson,  all  of 
whom  are  now  successful  business  men.  More  recently  this 
study  has  been  included  in  the  common-school  course  of  our 
State,  and  is  now  considered  an  important  branch  of  popular 
education. 

"A  New  System  of  Geography,  Ancient  and  Modern, 
by  Jedidiah  Morse,"  published  in  1784  in  New  Haven, 
Connecticut,  was  the  first  work  of  the  kind  issued  in  America. 
This  work  was  frequently  revised  in  passing  through  its 
various  editions  and,  as  previously  stated,  was  the  only  text- 
book used  in  town.  None  of  the  early  editions  of  this  work 
were  illustrated. 

"  An  Introductory  Geography,  by  Roswell  C.  Smith,  A.  M.," 
published  in  New  York  City  in  1 85  1,  was  an  excellent  work 
and  contained  a  profusion  of  very  good  wood-engravings. 
About  the  same  time  appeared  "Parley's  First  Book  of  History 
Combined  with  Geography,"  by  the  Author  of  Peter  Parley's 
Tales.  This  was  a  most  excellent  work  and  could  hardly  have 
failed  to  interest  even  the  youngest  pupils. 

"  Colton  and  Fitch's  Geography"  came  into  use  about  i860 
and  was  in  many  respects  a  superior  work.  It  was  profusely 
illustrated  and  had  many  fine  colored  maps.  This  book 
was  afterwards  supplemented  by  an  elementary  work,  and  to- 
gether they  were  the  standard  in  this  important  study  for  ten 
or  twelve  years.  Ere  long,  however,  other  works  were  issued, 
and  at  length  Warren's  geographies  were  substituted  for  Colton 
and  Fitch's.  About  1881  the  school  supervisor  adopted  Swin- 
ton's  series  of  geographies,  and  Warren's  text-books  soon 
disappeared  from  the  schools. 

The    greatest     innovation    ever    made    upon    the    established 


SCHOOLS.  109. 

educational  methods  of  Industry,  was  effected  in  the  enactment 
of  the  free  text-book  law  by  the  Maine  Legislature  in  1889. 
This  act  provided  that  on  and  after  August  1,  1890,  each  town 
should  furnish  free  school-books  to  all  pupils  attending  its 
schools.  As  the  conditions  under  which  they  would  be  sup- 
plied were  not  well  understood,  the  subject  was  for  a  time  much 
discussed  and  the  new  law  regarded  with  but  little  favor  by  the 
tax-payers  in  town.  By  some  it  was  claimed  that  the  new 
system  would  engender  in  pupils  a  wanton  destruction  of  books, 
thus  rendering  it  more  expensive  than  the  old,  and  many  simi- 
lar objections  were  urged  against  the  new  law.  But  a  practical 
test  of  nearly  two  years  goes  far  to  prove  that  its  advantages 
far  outweigh  the  disadvantages.  At  its  annual  meeting,  March 
3,  1890,  the  town  voted  to  raise  the  sum  of  two  hundred  dol- 
lars for  the  purchase  of  school-books,  in  conformity  with  the 
action  of  the  Legislature  by  which  the  law  was  established. 
In  the  summer  of  1890,  Charles  F.  Oliver,  the  school  super- 
visor, after  some  correspondence  and  a  critical  examination  of 
the  series  of  several  publishers,  selected  as  best  adapted  to  the 
wants  of  pupils  in  Industry  Harper  &  Bros.'  Readers,  a  very  ex- 
cellent series  of  five  numbers  ;  also  the  arithmetical  and  geo- 
graphical series  of  the  same  publishers.  These,  with  Eggle- 
ston's  United  States  History  and  Metcalf's  Spellers,  were 
adopted  for  the  term  of  five  years,  and  a  contract  between  the 
publishers  and  Mr.  Oliver,  in  behalf  of  the  town,  was  closed. 
These  books  are  all  of  a  practical  character,  and  cannot  fail  to 
prove  satisfactory  alike  to  pupil  and  teacher. 

STATISTICAL. 

The  earliest  statistical  knowledge  which  the  author  has  been 
able  to  obtain  relative  to  the  schools  of  Industry,  shows  that  in 
1835  there  were  444  scholars  in  town.  The  second  report  of 
the  State  Board  of  Education,  issued  in  1848,  gives  no  statisti- 
cal information  respecting  the  various  schools,  but  in  1852,  as 
is  learned  from  their  report,  there  were  447  scholars  and  twelve 
school-houses    in    town.      One   of   these    was    built   during    the 


I  i  o  IUSI\  )R ) '  t )/■■  INDL  TSTR\  '. 

year  at  a  cost  of  $140.*  The  school  money  raised  in  excess 
of  the  amount  required  by  law  was  $83.60,  and  the  whole 
amount  expended  for  private  schools  was  $105.  To  show  the 
changes  which  thirty  years  have  effected,  and  also  the  present 
status  of  the  educational  interests  in  town,  the  writer  presents 
herewith  a  comparative  table,  compiled  from  the  State  reports 
of    1S55,   1 885  and   1890: 

1855.  18S5.  1890. 

Number  of  Districts  in  town, 

"  parts  of  Districts  in  town, 

"  good  schoobhouses  in  town, 

"  poor  schoobhouses  in  town, 

Whole  number  of  scholars  in  town, 

"  "         registered  in  summer  schools,  175 

Average  number  attending  summer  schools. 
Whole  number  attending  winter  schools, 
Average     "  "  "  " 

Number  of  male  teachers  employed. 
Average  wages  per  month. 
Number  of  female  teachers  employed, 
Average  wages  per  week. 
Amount  of  money  raised   per  scholar. 

A  careful  examination  of  the  foregoing  statistics  reveals 
many  important  facts.  The  number  of  good  school-houses  in 
town  in  1890  is  double  that  of  1855,  while  the  poor  ones  have 
decreased  in  the  same  ratio.  This  shows  great  advancement 
toward  improving  the  school  system  in  the  town.  During  this 
period  the  decrease  in  whole  number  of  pupils  in  town  has 
been  54.7  per  cent.,  yet  there  has  been  a  gain  of  more  than  30 
per  cent,  in  average  attendance  in  the  summer  schools,  and  a 
loss  of  only  8  per  cent,  in  the  average  attendance  in  winter 
schools.     The   increase   in  compensation  of    teachers    bespeaks 


*3 

10 

10 

1 

1 

2 

3 

5 

0 

8 

5 

4 

360 

216 

197 

)ls,  175 

i25 

124 

,   130 

95 

113 

27S 

170 

136 

240 

138 

117 

7 

4 

2 

$18.50 

$20.45 

$22.00 

10 

T3 

l3 

82.09 

S2.9C 

$3*9 

1.32 

2.65 

2.90 

*  The  house  here  referred  to  was  the  one  at  W'ilhee's  Corner,  built  immediately 
alter  the  south  point  of  the  town  was  set  oil  to  New  Sharon.  It  is  supposed  that  the 
cost  as  here  given  represents  onl)  the  cash  expended  for  material,  as  in  such  in- 
stances the  labor  \\:i>  often  largely  contributed  by  interested  parties. 


SCHOOLS.  1  I  I 

the  employment  of  those  possessing  wider  experience  and  more 
varied  attainments.  Taken  all  in  all,  the  school  system  of  In- 
dustry was  never  in  so  good  a  condition  as  at  the  present  time. 

SCHOOL    OFFICERS. 

At  the  first  town  meeting  for  the  election  of  officers  after 
the  incorporation  of  the  town,  it  was  voted  that  the  five  high- 
way surveyors  be  a  school  committee.  It  is  presumable  that 
these  gentlemen  also  acted  as  agents  for  their  respective  dis- 
tricts. The  highway  surveyors,  with  the  exception  of  one  or 
two  years,  continued  to  serve  in  this  capacity  up  to  1812,  when 
a  committee  of  three  were  elected  from  each  district  for  four 
of  the  seven  districts  in  town.  In  [815,  the  nine  highway  sur- 
veyors, with  the  addition  of  six  other  persons,  constituted  the 
superintending  school  committee.  This  was  undoubtedly  the 
largest  committee,  numerically,  that  ever  exercised  jurisdiction 
over  the  schools  of  Industry.  School  agents  were  first  elected 
for  the  several  districts  in  1822,  when  it  was  voted  that  James 
Allen,  Supply  B.  Norton  and  Moses  Tolman,  Jr.,  "should  be  a 
committee  to  inspect  schools."  From  this  date  a  greater  de- 
gree of  interest  was  manifested  in  relation  to  schools,  and  at 
the  annual  meeting  in  1828,  the  committee  were  requested  to 
visit  the  several  schools  in  town  and  report  their  condition  at 
the  next  annual  meeting.  The  people  now  exercised  more 
judgment  in  the  election  of  their  school  committees  and  usually 
selected  men  of  good  education,  many  of  whom  had  been  suc- 
cessful teachers.  Among  others  who  served  on  the  board  may 
be  mentioned :  Dr.  John  A.  Barnard,  Dr.  John  Cook,  Dr.  Jo- 
phanus  Henderson,  Carpenter  Winslow,  Zachariah  Withee, 
Phineas  Tolman,  Elias  B.  Collins  and  Ira  Emery,  Jr.  The  last 
mentioned  gentleman  served  on  the  board  for  many  years,  and 
was  largely  instrumental  in  improving  the  schools  under  his 
care.  By  a  vote  of  the  town,  districts  were  first  allowed  to 
choose  agents  in  185  1.*     The  town  voted  to  elect  a  supervisor 

*  As  early  as  1829,  the  inhabitants  of  the  Centre  district  were  allowed  to  elect 
their  agent,  but  this  was  an  exceptional  case. 


I  I  2  HISTORY   OF   INDUSTRY. 

instead  of  a  committee,  in  1858,  and  Elijah  Manter,  Jr.,  was 
chosen  to  that  office.  After  trying  the  supervisor  system  for 
two  years,  they  again  elected  a  committee  of  three,  and  the 
schools  were  under  this  form  of  supervision  until  1872;  since 
that  time,  with  the  exception  of  one  year,  the  office  has  been 
Idled  by  a  supervisor.  Among  those  who  have  served  in  the 
latter  capacity  may  be  mentioned:  John  Willis,  Joseph  L. 
Coughlin,  Holmes  II.  Bailey,  Sylvester  S.  Wright,  Charles  F. 
( )liver  and  Frank  H.  Bailey.  Andrew  S.  Emery  is  the  present 
incumbent  in  the  office,  having  been  elected  at  the  annual 
town  meeting  March  7,  1892. 

A  noteworthy  feature  of  the  schools  in  Industry,  is  the  ex- 
cellence of  their  rank  in  attendance.  This,  for  the  year  ending 
March  1,  1885,  was  eight  per  cent,  above  the  State  average,  and 
in  some  former  years  the  difference  has  been  even  greater. 

The  people  of  Industry  have  ever  manifested  a  commenda- 
ble interest  in  educational  matters,  and  many  have  sought  the 
advantages  of  the  State  Normal  and  other  schools  of  a  similar 
grade.  For  the  year  ending  March  1,  1885,  pupils  from  this 
town  had  attended  other  schools  to  the  extent  of  one  hundred 
and  fifty  weeks.  For  the  same  year,  the  number  perfect  in 
attendance,  which  always  had  been  much  larger  than  the  State 
average,  was  considerably  increased.  This  result  was  mainly 
secured  through  the  efforts  of  Supervisor  Holmes  H.  Bailey, 
who  offered  neatly  printed  certificates  to  all  perfect  in  attend- 
ance. Although  the  writer  has  been  unable  to  learn  the  exact 
number  perfect  in  attendance,  it  is  believed  that  fully  ninety 
certificates  were  awarded.  The  stimulus  of  Mr.  Bailey's  efforts 
has  been  steadily  felt  down  to  the  present  time,  and  the  num- 
ber perfect  in  attendance  for  the  year  ending  March  1,  1891, 
was  eighty-six.  The  schools  of  Industry  since  the  incorpora- 
tion of  the  town  have  made  steady  improvement,  and  this  is 
more  emphatically  true  of  the  past  forty  years,  ranking  well 
in  this  respect  with  her  sister  towns  in  the  State.  As  a  rule, 
the  teachers  employed  in  the  town  schools  have  been  those 
standing  well  in  their  profession,  some  of  whom  have  since 
risen  to  distinction,  filling  important  positions  in  educational, 


SCHOOLS.  I  I  3 

social  and  political  life.  Among  the  early  teachers  in  town 
may  be  mentioned:  Jotham  S.  Gould,  Charles  G.  Norton, 
Allen  H.  Brainerd,  George  A.  Sargent,  in  1833;  Supply  B. 
Norton,  Carpenter  Winslow  and  Clifford  B.  Norton,  in  1834; 
William  E.  Folsom  of  Stark,  with  John  Gower,  Jr.,  and  Stephen 
H.  Hayes  of  Industry,  in  1836.  Also  Abel  II.  Weeks,  Farm- 
ington,  and  Elias  B.  Collins,  of  Industry,  in  1839.  Other 
teachers,  without  regard  to  their  chronological  order,  were : 
Thomas  H.  McLain,  Farmington ;  Elijah  Manter,  Jr.,  Truman 
A.  Merrill,  James  S.  Emery,  William  A.  Merrill,  William  W. 
Crompton,  Daniel  S.  Johnson,  George  H.  Boardman,  Edmund 
Hayes,  Ira  Emery,  Jr.,  and  Charles  C.  Cutts,  all  of  Industry, 
John  W.  Perkins,  John  G.  Brown  and  William  F.  Williamson, 
of  Stark;  also  Wm.  S.  Pattee,  John  Gower,  George  E.  Gay, 
Austin  J.  Collins,  George  F.  Palmer,  and  Charles  A.  Alexander, 
who  subsequently  became  a  successful   physician,  and  others. 


CHAPTER   VII. 
RELIGIOUS  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

The   Baptist    Society. — -The    .Methodists. — The    Congregational    Society. — The    Free 
Will  Baptists. — Protestant   Methodists,  Etc. 

SAYS  Esq.  Wm.  Allen,*  "  Religious  meetings  were  first 
holden  on  the  Gore  at  Deacon  Norton's  by  members  of  the 
Baptist  order,"  and  further,  that  "  Rev.  Sylvanus  Boardman 
visited  the  Deacon  and  preached  the  first  sermon  that  was 
delivered  in  town  in  December,  1794."  Though  this  is  undoubt- 
edly correct,  the  Baptist  Church  records,  which  date  back  as  far 
as  the  summer  of  1795,  make  no  mention  of  Elder  Boardman 
until  the  year  1  8  1  S,  therefore  it  is  probable  that  during  early 
years  of  its  existence  the  church  received  only  occasional  visits 
from  him. 

Deacon  Nortonf  and  a  few  others  among  the  first  settlers 
were  members  of  the  Baptist  denomination,  and  these  formed 
the  germ  of  the  first  religious  society  organized  in  the  town  of 
Industry.  On  the  12th  day  of  August,  1795,  Elders  Eliphalet 
Smith    and     Isaac   Case}  visited   the  settlement  on  the  Gore  for 


*  History  of  Industry,  /.  j(>. 

t  Stephen  Allen  I  See  Methodism  in  Maine,  p.  rb)  says  that  I  leacon  Norton  was 
a  Congregationalist.  The  writer  is  of  the  opinion  that  Dr.  Allen's  information  was 
incorrect. 

{Elder  Isaac  Case  was  bom  in  Rehoboth,  Mass.,  Feb.  25,  1761.  He  was  or- 
dained Sept.  10,  1783,  and  at  once  made  his  way  into  those  parts  of  Maine  into 
which  settlers  were  at  that  time  pressing.  Ten  years  after  his  arrival  in  the  district 
he  assisted  in  the  organization  of  the  Bowdoinham  Association,  with  three  churches  and 
one  hundred  and  eighty-three  members.      He    performed  extensive  missionary  labors 


RELIGIOUS  HISTORY.  I  15 

the  purpose  of  organizing  a  church.  Elder  Smith  preached  a 
forcible  sermon  from  Isaiah  V.,  7,  after  which  three  persons 
were  baptized  by  Elder  Case.  A  society  was  then  organized, 
consisting  of  nine  members,  and  styled  Church  No.  91  of  the 
Bowdoinham  Association.*  It  was  voted  that  Deacon  Corne- 
lius Norton  should  act  as  deacon,  and  Ebenezer  Norton  was 
chosen  clerk.  Although  there  is  no  conclusive  evidence  of  the 
fact,  it  is  probable  that  Rowland  Luce  was  one  of  the  original 
members  of  this  church. 

The  next  time  that  the  Society  was  favored  with  preaching, 
was  in  February,  1796,  when  Elder  Case  visited  them  and 
preached  at  Benjamin  Cottle's.  During  this  year  John  Spencer 
and  wife  were  admitted  as  members  of  the  church,  and  Eben- 
ezer Norton  was  sent  as  a  delegate  to  the  meeting  of  the  Asso- 
ciation. Elder  Tripp  was  the  next  minister  to  visit  the  newly 
formed  church  on  the  Gore  in  1798.  In  the  latter  part  of  this 
year  Benjamin  Cottle  united  with  the  church,  and  both  he  and 
Mrs.  Cottle,  who  afterwards  joined,  remained  conscientious  and 
influential  members  up  to  the  time  of  their  death.  Rev.  Oliver 
Billings,  of  Fayette,  was  employed  to  preach  in  Industry  appor- 
tion of  the  time  prior  to  the  year  1S00. 

John  Spencer  was  chosen  a  deacon  of  the  church  in  1800, 
and  four  years  later  was  licensed  as  a  preacher.  Both  Elders 
Cain  and  Smith  visited  the  church  and  preached  in  Industry 
during  this  year.  About  the  same  time  Daniel  Luce,  Jr.,  hav- 
ing made  a  profession  of  religion,  united  with  the  church,  with 
which  he  remained  for  many  years.  He  eventually  left  the 
society,  however,  and  joined  the  Congregationalists. 


in  newly  settled  places,  and  laid  the  foundation  of  many  of  the  earlier  Baptist 
churches.  One  of  these  was  a  church  in  Readfield,  which  he  organized  in  1792, 
and  of  which  he  was  pastor  from  its  organization  up  to  1800.  In  seventeen  years  the 
Bowdoinham  Association  had  grown  from  three  churches  and  one  hundred  and 
eighty-three  members  to  forty-eight  churches  and  two  thousand  one  hundred  and 
twenty-one  members,  lie  continued  his  missionary  labors  in  various  parts  of  the 
State  till  the  infirmities  of  age  rendered  him  incapable  of  further  work.  He  died 
at  Readfield,  Me.,  Nov.  3,  1S52. 

*  This  Society  styled  itself  "The  Particular  Baptist  Church   in    Industry,"  as  we 
learn  from  the  title  page  of  its  book  of  records. 


I  I  6  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

Rev.  Oliver  Billings,*  of  Fayette,  visited  town  in  June,  1802, 
where  he  preached,  baptized  several  converts  and  administered 
the  Lord's  Supper.  Among  those  baptized  were  Tristram 
Norton  and  wife,  James  Davis,  Sr.,  and  wife,  also  Josiah    Butler. 

Levi  Young  removed  from  New  Vineyard,  early  in  the 
present  century,  and  settled  in  Industry.  He  received  a  license 
"to  speak  and  exhort  in  public"  in  1805,  and  on  the  second 
day  of  September,  1809,  he  was  licensed   to  preach. f 

Deacon  John  Spencer  having  been  expelled  from  the  church 
in  the  winter  of  1808,  Benjamin  Cottle  was  chosen  deacon,  in 
April,  1809,  to  fill  the  vacancy,  and  both  he  and  Deacon  Cor- 
nelius Norton  held  their  offices  as  lone;  as  they  lived.  During 
the  year  1 808,  Elders  kicker  ami  Kendall  preached  in  Indus- 
try, occasionally,  and  baptized  a  few  converts.  Elder  Jason 
Livermore,  of  Hallowell,  spent  two  months  in  town,  during  the 
progress  of  an  extensive  revival  in  the  fall  of  this  year.  As  a 
result  of  his  labors  he  baptized  some  twenty  converts,  nearly  all 
of  whom  united  with  the  Baptist  Church.  He  returned  in  the 
fall  of   1809  and  spent  a  short  time  with  the  society. 

The  church  now  took  measures  to  have  preaching  more 
frequently,  and  Rev.  Oliver  Peabody  was  employed  a  portion 
of  the  time  for  one  or  two  years.  Also,  occasionally,  Elder 
Hooper  of  Paris,  and  Elder  Cain,  of  Clinton.  Abner  C.  Ames 
was  received  as  a  member  of  the  church  in  1808,  and  in  the 
month  of  June,  1809,  David  Davis  and  wife,  with  their  daughter 
Olive  and  a  few  others,  were  baptized  and  received  into  the 
church  by  Elder  Kicker. 

Elder  Joseph  Adams,  of  Jay,  was  invited  by  the  church  to 
preach  and  administer  the  ordinance  of  baptism  to  several  con- 


*  He  experienced  religion  under  the  preaching  of  Elder  Eliphalet  Smith,  as  early 
as  17112,  and   became  an  able  and  efficient  minister  of  the  gospel. 

t There  is  some  doubt  in  the  writer's  mind  as  to  the  identity  of  the  person 
licensed  to  exhort  in  1805,  the  one  licensed  to  preach  and  the  one  subsequently  or- 
dained an  evangelist  in  1814.  The  church  records  are  not  clear,  and  only  in  the  last 
named  instance  is  there  anything  to  show  whether  the  senior  or  junior  Mr.  Young 
is  meant.  Accepting  Esq.  Allen's  statement  (History  of  Industry, p.  2j)  as  correct, 
the  author  assumes  that  it  was  the  junior  Mr.  Young  to  whom  both  licenses  men- 
tioned above  were  granted. 


RELIGIOUS   H /STORY.  W] 

verts  in  the  fall  of  1809.  Accordingly,  near  the  close  of  Sep- 
tember he  came,  and  after  services,  baptized  Elijah  Robbins 
and  wife,  Elisha  Robbins,  Henry  Davis  and  Mrs.  Abraham 
Page,  and  received   them  as  members  of  the  church. 

Tristram  Daggett,  an  early  pioneer,  having  experienced 
religion,  was  baptized  on  the  9th  of  October,  1809,  and  like- 
wise received  as  a  member  of  the  church.  Among  other  mem- 
bers admitted  during  this  year  were  Peter  Norton,  Deborah  and 
Love  Allen,  daughters  of  Capt.  Wm.  Allen.  Also  about  the 
same  time  Robert  Norton,  son  of  Elijah  and  Margaret  (Gower) 
Norton,  of  Farmington. 

The  first  money  raised  for  church  purposes  was  near  the 
close  of  the  year  18 10,  when  the  conference  voted  to  raise  four 
dollars,  and  Deacon  Cottle  was  chosen  custodian  of  the 
church  funds. 

Elisha  Robbins,  son  of  Ammiel  Robbins,  a  young  man  of 
exemplar)'  piety,  was  ordained  to  the  ministry  by  an  ecclesiasti- 
cal council,  which  assembled  at  the  dwelling-house  of  Deacon 
Benjamin  Cottle,  on  the  4th  of  October,  18 10.*  Among  the 
ministers  present  and  participating  in  the  exercises  were  Rev. 
Robert  Lowe,  of  Readfield,  Rev.  Oliver  Billings,  of  Fayette, 
Rev.  Thomas  Frances,  of  Leeds,  and  Rev.  Samuel  Sweat,  of 
Farmington.  The  ordination  sermon  was  preached  by  Elder 
Lowe,  prayer  by  Elder  Billings,  charge  to  the  candidate  by 
Elder  Frances,  and  the  right  hand  of  fellowship  was  extended 
to  the  candidate  by  Elder  Sweat. 

Elder  Robbins  lived  but  a  few  days  over  six  months  after 
his  ordination  and  died  April  26,  181 1,  at  the  age  of  twenty-six 
years,  loved  and   respected  by  all. 

Elder  Thomas  Wyman  labored  in  town  for  a  short  time  in 
1 812,  and  during  this  year  Dr.  Jonathan  Ambrose  and  wife 
were  received   as  members  of  the  church. 

Thomas  Merrill  came  to  Industry  in  18 10,  in  the  double 
capacity  of   school    teacher  and    preacher.       On    the    13th    of 


*  William  Allen  says  (History  of  Industry,  p.  27)  that  he  was  licensed  to 
preach,  and  died  in  1S09.  This  is  obviously  erroneous.  See  Robbins  genealogy  in 
Part  Second  of  this  work. 


'5 


1 1 8  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

October,  1812,  after  having  preached  in  this  town  and  New 
Vineyard  for  upwards  of  two  years,  he  was  ordained  pastor  of 
the  Industry  Baptist  Church  by  an  ecclesiastical  council  which 
met  at  the  house  of  Daniel  Luce,  Jr.,  in  Industry.  The  church 
fixed  Elder  Merrill's  salary  at  $50  for  six  months,  with  board 
for  himself  and  horse.  After  the  expiration  of  the  six  months 
he  was  employed  for  an  additional  period.  In  October,  1 8 13, 
at  his  own  request,  he  was  dismissed,  and  supplied  the  church 
at  Farmington  for  a  time,  but  subsequently  became  pastor  of 
the  Baptist  Church  at  Fayette.  Elder  Joseph  Palmer  supplied 
preaching  in  town  for  a  short  time  in  1814,  but  with  what  suc- 
cess is  not  known. 

Levi  Young,  Jr.,  was  ordained  an  evangelist,  at  the  school- 
house  near  Daniel  Luce's,  on  "Federal  Row,"*  September  7, 
1 8 14.  Elder  Elias  Taylor,  of  Belgrade,  preached  the  ordina- 
tion sermon ;  prayer,  at  the  laying  on  of  hands,  by  Elder 
Joshua  Macomber ;  charge  to  the  candidate,  by  Elder  Thomas 
Merrill,  of  Farmington ;  right  hand  of  fellowship,  by  Elder 
Joseph  Palmer,  of  Industry.  Almost  the  first  duty  of  Elder 
Young  was  to  solemnize  the  marriage  of  Elder  Thomas  Merrill 
and  Deborah  Allen.  Not  having  the  benefits  of  an  early 
education,  and  being  conscious  of  the  fact,  greatly  impaired 
the  effectiveness  of  Elder  Young's  labors,  and  caused  him  after 
a  time  to  relinquish  his  position. 

Robert  Lambert  was  ordained  by  an  ecclesiastical  council, 
Jan.  1,  1 8 19,  and  on  the  fourth  day  of  the  following  April,  the 
society  voted  to  dismiss  and  recommend  him,  but  to  what 
church  the  writer  is  unable  to  learn. 


*The  farm  on  which  this  house  was  located  is  now  (1892)  owned  and  occupied 
by  James  Edgecomh,  but  the  school-house  was  moved  away  many  years  ago.  The 
road  on  which  Mr.  Edgecomb  resides  acquired  the  name  of  "  Federal  Row"  in  the 
following  manner:  Soon  after  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  War  the  people  be- 
came divided  in  opinion  into  two  parties.  The  one  was  in  favor  of  a  strong  central 
or  constitutional  form  of  government,  a  protective  tariff  and  a  national  bank.  The 
other  was  opposed  to  these  measures  and  committed  to  the  doctrine  of  State  sover- 
eignty. The  former  was  called  Federalists,  the  latter  Anti-Federalists  or  Republicans. 
The  people  living  on  the  road  from  Tibbetls's  Corner  westward  to  the  town  line  of 
Farmington,  were  all   Federalists.     Hence  the  name. 


%0> 


WV 


REV.  C.  S.  LUCE. 


Engraved  by  Geo.  E.  Johnson,  Boston. 
I  Mm    ,i  photograph  in.uk-  about  ix"5  by  Merrill  "I   Farmington,  Me. 


•  RELIGIOUS   HISTORY.  I  19 

Ira  Emery,  Sr.,  was  appointed  a  deacon  of  the  church 
April  4,  1 8 19,  probably  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  the 
death  of  Deacon  Cornelius  Norton.  Both  Deacon  Emery  and 
his  wife  were  people  of  eminent  piety,  and  their  lives  were 
adorned  by  the  practice  of  many  christian  virtues.  They  were 
respected  by  all  and  died,  as  they  had  lived,  with  a  strong 
hope  of  a  blessed   immortality  beyond  the  grave. 

Seven  members  were  relinquished  in  January,  1820,  by  the 
Industry  church,  to  unite  with  a  society  which  had  just  been 
organized   in  Anson. 

Rev.  Sylvanus  Boardman,  of  New  Sharon,  was  employed  to 
preach  once  in  four  weeks  in  182  1-2,  either  at  Rowland  Luce's 
or  at  some  other  private  house  or  school-house,  in  different 
parts  of  the  town. 

Christopher  Sanborn  Luce  experienced  religion  in  his 
youth,  and  was  received  into  the  church  in  June,  1825.  The 
following  interesting  item  concerning  him,  was  clipped  from 
Ziou's  Advocate:  "Rev.  C.  S.  Luce,  of  Poway,  San  Diego 
County,  California,  arrived  at  Allen's  Mills,  Industry,  his  native 
town,  May  22d,  [1882].  It  is  fifty-three  years  since  he  first 
left  town  and  twenty-five  since  he  visited  this  locality.  The 
elder  is  seventy-four  years  old,  and  remarkably  smart  and  active. 
In  early  boyhood  he  was  converted,  and  baptized  in  Clear 
Water  Pond,  in  Industry,  by  Rev.  Sylvanus  Boardman,  the 
father  of  George  Dana  Boardman,  the  missionary  to  Burmah. 
He  finds  but  one  or  two  families  of  his  early  acquaintances, 
and  but  five  persons  whom  he  recognized.  He  is  collecting 
the  names  of  his  relatives,  which  number  over  150  souls.  He 
has  visited  the  graves  of  his  parents,  brothers  and  sisters,  and 
the  old  farm  where  he  once  lived,  recalling  many  pleasant 
memories  with  the  many  sad  ones.  Elder  Luce  has  been  hold- 
ing a  series  of  meetings,  which  were  of  much  interest  and  gave 
general  satisfaction.  He  has  preached  in  the  old  meeting-house 
which  he  helped  to  build  fifty  years  ago  ;  also  gave  liberally  for 
its  repair  this  year.      Here  his  grandparents,*  parents,  brothers 


*This  statement  is  not  compatible  with  the  facts  in  the  case.     Both  of  Rev.    Mr. 
Luce's  grandparents  died  prior  to  the  erection  of  this  house  of  worship. —  W.  C.  H. 


120  HISTORY  OF  rNDUSTRY. 

and  sisters,  uncles  and  aunts,  have  worshipped,  but  now  are 
passed  away.  He  funis  but  one  brother  and  a  half-sister  now 
living,  eight  having  passed  over  the  river.  He  attended  the 
reunion  of  his  brother's  family,  where'  there  were  four  genera- 
tions present.  Elder  Luce  has  been  an  arduous  worker  in  his 
Master's  vineyard,  and  been  the  means  of  much  good."  He 
has  baptized  during  his  ministry  over  1,300  persons. 

Datus  T.  Allen  was  received  into  the  church  by  letter,  May 
14,  1827,  and  on  the  21st  of  February,  1828,  was  ordained 
and  installed  pastor  of  the  society;  the  ecclesiastical  council 
assembling  at  the  house  of  Deacon  Cottle  on  the  day  previous, 
for  the  purpose  of  examining  the  candidate  and  making  other 
preliminary  arrangements  for  the  occasion.  Among  those  pres- 
ent were  Elder  Sylvanus  Boardman  from  the  church  of  New 
Sharon,  Elder  John  Butler  from  Winthrop,  and  Elder  Joseph 
Torrey  from  Strong.  Elder  Torrey  preached  the  ordination 
sermon,  and  Elder  Boardman  made  the  ordination  prayer,  gave 
the  charge  and  extended  the  right  hand  of  fellowship  to  the 
candidate,  while  to  Elder  Butler  was  assigned  the  duty  of  mak- 
ing the  closing  prayer. 

Jared  F.  Eveleth  made  a  profession  of  religion  at  the  age 
of  fourteen  years,  and  in  June,  1828,  was  baptized  and  united 
with  the  church  in  his  native  town.  He  began  to  preach  in 
1858,  and  has  filled  many  important  positions.  He  is  at  pres- 
ent (1892)  living  in  the  town  of  Bluehill,  Me.,  having  retired 
from  the  more  active  duties  of  his  calling  in  consequence  of  his 
advanced  years. 

Hebron  Euce  was  received  into  the  church  in  1828,  and  in 
1  83  1,  James  Davis,  Jr.,  and  wife,  also  Benj.  Franklin  Norton. 

By  the  acquisition  of  wealthy  and  influential  members,  the 
Industry  Baptist  Church  had  become  an  organization  of  con- 
siderable importance,  and  its  prospects  were  decidedly  en- 
couraging.* For  the  most  part  the  members  were  people  of 
sterling    character,   and     included    some    of    the    most    worthy 


♦The   Kennebec   Jiaptist  Association  was  organized    in    1830,  and    held    its   first 
meeting  with  the  Industry  church,  at  the  Centre  Meeting-House. 


RELIGIOUS  HISTORY.  121 

residents  of  the  town.  In  1832  the  church  raised  by  subscrip- 
tion a  sum  sufficient  to  purchase  a  communion  service. 

There  is  no  means  of  learning  just  how  much  of  the  time 
Elder  Datus  Allen  preached  in  Industry  prior  to  1832,  but  in 
the  month  of  September  of  that  year  the  society  voted  to  hire 
him  one-fourth  of  the  time  for  six  months,  fixing  his  salary  at 
$65,  or  at  the  rate  of  $520  per  year.  Carlton  Parker,  a 
licentiate  from  Waterville  College,  was  also  engaged  to  occupy 
the  pulpit  a  short  time  in  connection  with  Elder  Allen. 

A  church  was  organized  in  Stark  on  the  26th  day  of  June, 
1833,  consisting  of  about  fifteen  members,  a  number  of  mem- 
bers from  the  Industry  church  having  been  previously  dismissed 
to  join  this  newly  organized  society.*  Elder  Allen  was  en- 
gaged as  their  pastor  and  preached  to  them  a  portion  of  the 
time.  He  was  subsequently  dismissed  to  that  church  March  3, 
1838.  He  died  at  his  former  residence  in  Industry,  May  30, 
1862,  aged   73   years. 

During  the  autumn  of  1833  we  find  Elder  William  Wyman, 
of  Eivermore,  visiting  the  church  at  Industry,  where  he  also 
preached.  On  the  ninth  of  November  the  church  voted  to 
hire  him,  but  for  how  long  a  time  is  not  known.  He  preached 
one-fourth  of  the  time  at  the  Centre  Meeting-House,  and 
probably  about  as  often  at  West's  Mills.  In  the  fall  of  1836 
the  society  chose  a  committee  to  settle  with  him,  consequently 
one  might  infer  that  his  labors  extended  up  to  that  date. 
Elder  Allen  was  also  invited  to  preach  during  this  time  "as 
opportunity  offered." 

The  church  invited  William  Smith  to  preach  at  the  Centre 
Meeting-House  on  March  6,  1836,  and  were  so  well  pleased 
with  his  effort  that  they  voted  to  license  him  as  a  preacher. 
Shortly  after  this  he  moved  to  Belgrade,  where  he  was  ordained 
a  minister  of  the  Baptist  Church. 


*  In  1856  this  society  erected  a  small  house  of  worship  in  Stark,  near  the  In- 
dustry line.  This  house  was  not  completed  until  the  following  year,  and  was  dedi- 
cated in  the  fall.  It  was  commonly  known  as  "The  Union  Street  Church,"  and 
after  some  years  fell  into  disuse.  At  length  it  was  sold,  torn  down  and  moved  away 
in  the  fall  of  1882. 


122  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

Elder  William  Cross  was  employed  to  preach  in  town  for 
a  short  time  in  1836. 

In  1837  the  church  voted  to  raise  fifty-four  dollars  to  be 
expended  in  preaching.  Elder  Haynes,  it  appears,  preached 
in  town  occasionally  in  1838,  and  Elder  Leach  the  following 
year. 

As  the  result  of  an  extensive  revival  in  1840,  under  the 
labors  of  Elder  John  Butler,  of  Winthrop,  assisted  by  Rev. 
John  Perham,  of  Industry,  a  large  number  were  added  both  to 
the  Baptist  and  Congregational  churches. 

A  gentleman  by  the  name  of  Pearson,  probably  a  licentiate, 
preached  to  the  society  by  invitation,  for  three  months  in  1842. 
James  S.  Emery,  a  son  of  Deacon  Ira  Emery,  was  received 
into  the  church  during  this  year.  He  removed  to  Lawrence, 
Kansas,  about  1854,  where  he  still  resides,  an  influential  and 
highly  respected  citizen. 

Eben  G.  Trask,  a  young  man  of  considerable  ability,  was 
licensed  to  preach  April  1,  1843.  In  the  month  of  September 
following,  he  was  engaged  to  preach  in  town  for  the  term  of 
one  year.  On  the  5th  of  December,  1844,  after  the  expiration 
of  the  term  of  his  engagement,  he  was  ordained  a  minister  of 
the  Baptist  Church,  the  services  being  held  at  West's  Mills.  In 
the  month  of  May,  1845,  the  society  engaged  him  to  preach 
one-half  of  the  time  for  one  year.  From  this  date  up  to  1849, 
a  break  occurs  in  the  records  of  the  church,  and  consequently 
but  little  is  known  concerning  the  affairs  of  the  society  during 
this  period.  During  the  last  mentioned  year  we  find  Rev.  J. 
M.  Follett  acted  as  pastor  of  the  society,  and  in  the  following 
year  the  pulpit  was  supplied   by  Elder  Miller. 

Elder  T.  Brownson,  an  Englishman  by  birth,  was  employed 
as  pastor  in  1S52  or  1853.  In  1854  the  society  numbered  fifty- 
six  members. 

Ira  Emery,  Jr.,  a  young  man  of  eminent  piety,  was  licensed 
to  preach  Dec.  22,  1866,  and  after  laboring  with  the  society  a 
little  more  than  a  year  he  was  dismissed,  at  his  own  request, 
and  joined   the  Free  Will    Baptist  Church. 

Rev.  A.  C.  Hussey  was  employed   in  April,  1867,  to  preach 


RELIGIOUS  HISTORY.  I  23 

in  Industry  once  in  four  weeks.  During  this  year  Thomas 
Stevens  and  wife  moved  into  town,  and  were  received  by  letter 
from  the  Anson  church. 

In  1873  and  1874,  Elder  Heath  preached  occasionally  in 
town.  At  this  time  there  were  only  seven  resident  members. 
The  membership  having  been  reduced  to  four  in  1885,  the 
church  was  disbanded,  and  the  members,  viz. :  Thomas  Stevens, 
Sarah  Stevens,  Jesse  Luce  and  Sophronia  Norton,  were  received 
into  the  Farmington  church.*  Afterward,  Rev.  Edward  A. 
Mason,  of  the  Farmington  church,  preached  in  Industry  occa- 
sionally until   his  removal  to  another  field  of  labor  in  1886. 

Prior  to  its  annexation  to  the  Farmington,  and  when  it  was 
a  large  and  flourishing  society,  preaching  was  also  supplied 
by  such  ministers  as  Revs.  Arthur  Drinkwater,  John  Haines, 
Squire  Sherburne  Brownson,  and  William  E.  Morse,  who 
labored  with  the  church  a  part  of  the  time  in  1859. 

HISTORY    OF    METHODISM. f 

In  August,  1793,  some  six  years  after  the  first  settlement  of 
the  town,  Rev.  Jesse  Lee,  a  noted  Methodist  preacher,  was  sent 
to  the  District  of  Maine,  by  the  New  England  Conference,  and 
came  as  far  north  as  the  settlement  at  Farmington.  After 
traveling   extensively   in    his   new   field    he    returned    to    Lynn, 


*  Mr.  Luce  is  now  (1892)  the  only  surviving  resident  member. 

t  The  author  completed  this  sketch  about  the  time  Dr.  Stephen  Allen  began 
preparing  his  elaborate  work,  "  Methodism  in  Maine."  On  receiving  Dr.  Allen's 
circular  of  inquiry,  the  pastor  on  Industry  circuit  being  unable  to  gather  much  of 
importance  from  members  of  the  society,  applied  to  the  author  for  assistance.  Wish- 
ing to  oblige,  the  manuscript  was  placed  in  his  hands  and  permission  given  to  copy 
such  parts  as  he  might  deem  of  value  to  Dr.  Allen.  The  copy  was  made  in  exlenso, 
and  forwarded  without  the  least  hint  as  to  the  source  of  his  information.  Dr. 
Allen,  on  learning  of  this  some  years  later,  employed  every  means  at  his  command 
to  correct  the  error  into  which  he  had  unintentionally  fallen.  A  short  time  before  his 
death  he  wrote  for  the  Farmington  (Me.)  Chronicle  a  very  flattering  notice  of  the 
History  of  Industry,  from  which  we  take  the  liberty  to  make  the  following  extract : 
"The  sketch  of  the  Methodist  Society  in  Industry,  as  given  in  the  history  of  Metho- 
dism in  Maine,'  was  prepared  by  Dr.  Hatch,  though  from  no  fault  of  the  under- 
signed, credited  to  another  person."  *  *  *  [Signed]  S.  Allen.  This  explanation 
is  made  by  the  author,  that  his  readers  may  not  adjudge  him  guilty  of  plagiarism. 


124  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

Mass.,  near  the  close  of  October,  1793,  and  remained  in  the 
vicinity  of  that  place  till  January,  1794,  when  he  started  on  a 
second  visit  to  the  District  of  Maine.  According  to  his  Jour- 
nal* he  visited  New  Vineyard  and  preached  there,  June  2, 
1794.  He  subsequently  (see  p.  S~)  preached  to  a  large  con- 
gregation at  Farmington  Falls,  in  Deacon  Francis  Tufts's  barn. 
Neither  Lee  in  his  Journal,  nor  Butler  in  his  History  of  Farm- 
ington, mentions  this  second  visit  to  that  town.  Lee  planned 
a  circuit  for  succeeding  ministers,  and  at  the  conference,  July 
25,  1794,  Philip  Wager  and  Thomas  Coopf  were  appointed  to 
take  charge  of  a  circuit  which  embraced  the  whole  of  the 
District  of  Maine,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Lee  was  made  presiding  elder. 
Lee  came  to  Maine  in  November,  1794,  and  near  the  close  of 
that  month  started  over  a  lonely  way  to  visit  the  settlements  on 
Sandy  River.  He  preached  in  Middletown  (Strong),  Novem- 
ber 27th,  and  immediately  returned  to  Farmington.  On  Mon- 
day, Dec.  1,  1794,  having  procured  a  guide, \  Rev.  Mr.  Lee  set 
out  to  visit  the  settlements  at  Industry,  New  Vineyard,  Anson 
and  Stark.  He  visited  the  settlement  on  the  Gore  with  the 
intention  of  preaching  at  Deacon  Cornelius  Norton's,  but  owing 
to  sickness  in  the  Deacon's  family,  the  plan  was  deemed  infeasi- 
ble  and  he  went  on  to  Daniel  Luce's  in  New  Vineyard,  where 
he  spent  the  night  and  preached  on  the  following  morning. § 


*  Methodism  in  Mann-,  p.  rj,  by  Stephen  Allen,  L).  D. 

t  Stephen  Allen,  1).  I).,  in  his  "  Methodism  in  Maine,"  makes  no  mention  of  this 
gentleman  or  his  labors,  but  writes  the  author  under  the  date  of  March  17,  188S:  "  I 
notice  your  mention  of  Rev.  Thomas  Coop  with  Rev.  Philip  Wager,  as  preachers,  in 
1704.  You  are  undoubtedly  correct.  In  my  account  of  Industry  circuit  I  do  not 
mention  Thomas  Coop.  His  name  is  entirely  omitted  by  Dr.  Abel  Stevens  in  his 
History,  and  I  was  led  to  omit  his  name  by  taking  my  sketch  mainly  from  Sicxens. 
Mr.  (  nop  was  on  what  was  called  the  Readfield  circuit,  but  a  short  time,  so  far  as  I 
can  learn,  and  his  name  does  not  appear  on  the  early  records  of  Readfield  circuit. 
A(  lording  to  Rangs's  History  he  was  soon  after  1 794  expelled,  and  no  account  is 
given  of  him  in  any  Methodist  history  that  I  have  seen.  So  our  historians  have 
passed  over  his  name  in  silence." 

I  The  guide  who  accompanied  Mr.  Lee,  according  to  Rev.  John  Renin,  was 
(apt.  John  Thompson,  of  Industry. 

§  Allen's  History  oj  Industry  (see  p.  28)  gives  the  date  as  December  1st,  as 
does  also  Dr.  Stephen  Allen's  "  Methodism  in  Maine"  [see p. 311),  but  in  a  more  de- 


RELIGIOUS   HISTORY.  I  25 

The  writer  is  unable  to  learn  anything  regarding  the  labors 
of  Wager  and  Coop,  and  is  uncertain  whether  they  visited  the 
Gore  settlement  or  not.  In  1795  Rev.  Enoch  Mudge  and  Elias 
Hull  were  appointed  as  successors  of  Wager  and  Coop.  They 
visited  the  settlement  on  the  Gore  and  preached  occasionally 
at  Abner  Norton's.  During  their  labors  here,  Mr.  Norton  and 
his  wife,  with  several  of  their  children,  made  a  profession  of 
religion,  as  did  also  Daniel  Collins  and  several  others.  These 
converts  were  organized  into  a  society  and  a  class  was  formed. 
The  class  gained  numbers  rapidly  and  Methodist  preaching  was 
furnished  once  in  four  weeks,  either  at  Mr.  Norton's  or  Mr. 
Collins's,  for  many  years. 

The  author  recalls  an  anecdote  related  to  him  by  one  of 
the  early  members,  illustrating  the  inconveniences  of  pioneer 
life:  "On  one  occasion  the  quarterly  meeting  was  held  at 
Abner  Norton's,  and  as  was  the  usual  custom,  the  person  at 
whose  house  the  meeting  was  held  furnished  refreshments  for 
those  in  attendance.  In  those  days  the  settlers'  china  closets 
did  not  contain  a  superabundance  of  table  ware,  and  in  this  in- 
stance the  demand  was  far  in  excess  of  the  supply.  To  remedy 
this  deficiency,  a  quantity  of  nice  large  maple  chips  were  pro- 
cured, from  which  the  food  was  eaten,  in  lieu  of  plates." 

Elders  Mudge  and  Hull  were  succeeded  in  the  pastorate  in 
1796,  by  Rev.  John  Broadhead.  About  this  time  a  second  class 
was  formed  at  the  house  of  Esquire  Herbert  Boardman,  who 
settled  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Asa  Q.  and  Calvin  B.  Fish,  in 
the  fall  of  1795.  Both  Esquire  Boardman  and  his  wife  were 
consistent  members  of  the  Methodist  Church  for  many  years. 

Capt.  John  Thompson,  afterwards  a  licensed  local  preacher, 
succeeded  in  forming  a  class  in  his  neighborhood  in  i7<jN. 
Capt.  Thompson  was  an  assiduous  laborer  in  his  Master's  vine- 
yard, and  through  the  instrumentality  of  his  preaching  much 
good  was  accomplished. 


tailed  account  of  Mr.  Lee's  labors  (sec  p.  16),  I  >r.  Allen  gives  as  stated  by  the 
author.  Esq.  William  Allen  declares  this  to  have  been  the  first  sermon  preached  in 
New  Vineyard,  which,  according  to  Lee's  journal,  is  incorrect.  Rev.  Mr.  Lee 
preached   his  first  as  well  as  the  first  sermon  in  New  Vineyard  June  2,  1794. 

16 


126  HISTORY  OF   TNDUSTRY. 

In  [802  Esquire  John  Gower,  also  a  licensed  local  preacher, 
moved  from  Farmington  and  settled  in  the  south  part  of  the 
town.  Here  he  formed  a  class  and. preached  as  opportunity 
offered  for  many  years,  until  that  insidious  disease,  consump- 
tion, made  such  inroads  upon  his  health  as  to  entirely  incapaci- 
tate- him  for  further  labor.  Esq.  William  Allen  says  of  him  : 
"  He  was  a  man  of  much  firmness  and  decision,  oi  a  benevolent 
disposition,  of  strong  mind  and  of  strict  integrity,  a  useful 
citizen,  highly  respected  by  all  who  knew  him."  The  exem- 
plary christian  lives  of  such  men  as  Capt.  Thompson  and 
Esquire  Gower  were  powerful  auxiliaries  in  behalf  of  early 
Methodism  in  Industry,  and  at  the  same  time  exercised  a 
salutary  restraining  influence  over  the  more  turbulent  portion 
of  the  populace.  At  all  times  these  good  men  were  ready 
and  willing  to  acknowledge  the  power  and  goodness  of  God, 
and  by  earnest  appeals  urged  others  to  avail  themselves  of 
His  precious  promises. 

Prior  to  1809,  Industry  was  not  a  separate  circuit,  but  was 
an  appointment  on  the  Norridgewock  circuit.  But  in  this  year 
we  find  it  mentioned  as  a  circuit,  and  Rev.  Isaiah  Kmerson 
stationed   here  as  preacher  in  charge. 

Rev.  Howard  Winslow,  a  local  Methodist  preacher  of  note, 
everywhere  known  as  Father  Winslow,  often  preached  in  In- 
dustry during  a  period  dating  from  his  earliest  efforts  in  1812, 
up  to  near  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  in  June,  [858. 
Although  Father  Winslow's  educational  advantages  were  limited, 
he  was  in  the  fullest  sense  of  the  term  one  of  Nature's  noble- 
men. Simple  and  unostentatious  in  his  habits  of  life,  meek  and 
inoffensive  in  his  disposition,  he  won  a  strong  position  in  the 
affections  of  the  people  of  Industry,  and  many  were  gathered 
into  the  fold  through  the  influence  of  his  teachings.  Anec- 
dotes  showing  the  truly  wonderful  power  of  his  preaching,  in 
this  town,  are  related  in  his  biography. 

Daniel  Collins,  Jr.,  made  a  profession  of  religion  in  earl)' 
life,  joined  the  class,  and  was  a  licensed  local  preacher,  in  which 
capacity  he  labored  with  considerable  acceptance  for  several 
years.      From  the  earliest    Methodist   preaching  up   to   1825,110 


RELIGIOUS  HISTORY.  \2J 

statistical  knowledge  of  the  Industry  church  is  attainable.  Up 
to  1825  Maine  had  no  conference,  but  was  under  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  the  New  England  Conference.  The  first  session  of  the 
Maine  Conference  was  held  by  the  clergy  at  Gardiner,  com- 
mencing July  7,  1825.  This  separation  established  a  new  era 
in  the  history  of  Methodism  in  Maine,  for  during  this  year  we 
find  the  first  attempt  made  to  keep  a  record  of  proceedings 
and  a  list  of  members,  by  the  church  in  Industry.  At  this 
time  the  circuit  included  Stark  and  New  Vineyard,  with  por- 
tions of  Anson,  New  Portland  and  Strong.  At  that  time  there 
were  four  classes  in  Industry,  viz.:  Class  No.  1  having  a  mem- 
bership of  twenty-one,  with  Robert  Thompson,  a  licensed 
exhorter,  as  leader,  and  Lemuel  Howes,  Jr.,  assistant  leader. 
In  this  class  the  female  members  were  largely  in  the  majority. 
Among  the  male  members  were  Ichabod  Johnson,  Wesley 
Thompson  and  a  few  others.  Class  No.  2,  with  thirty-five 
members  and  Nehemiah  Howes,  leader.  Among  its  more 
prominent  members  were  Esq.  John  Gower,  of  whom  mention 
has  already  been  made,  and  Nahum  Baldwin,  Jr.  Class  No.  3, 
at  the  head  of  Clear  Water  Pond,  Peter  Daggett,  leader,  had 
twenty-one  members.  Among  these  were  Daniel  Collins,  Sr., 
Obed  Norton  and  Zepheniah  Luce,  together  with  their  wives  ; 
also  Isaac  Norton  and  B.  Ashley  Collins.  Class  No.  4,  at 
West's  Mills,  was  formed  December  9th,  1824,  with  thirteen 
members  and  Matthew  Benson  for  leader.  Although  having 
the  smallest  membership  of  any  class  in  town,  it  contained 
some  of  the  wealthiest  and  most  influential  members  in  the 
church.  William  Cornforth,  a  licensed  exhorter  of  much  abil- 
ity, was  a  member  of  this  class,  as  was  also  Esq.  Peter  West 
and  wife,  Peter  W.  Willis  and  wife,  Capt.  Benjamin  Manter, 
James  Manter  and  James  Stevens.  John  Gott  and  wife  joined 
the  class  April  19,  1825,  and  on  the  same  day  Mr.  Gott  was 
appointed  leader.  During  the  year  the  various  classes  added 
largely  to  their  numbers  by  receiving  into  full  connection  many 
who  had  been  taken  on  probation.  David  Davis  and  wife 
made  a  profession  of  religion  in  1824,  and,  after  the  prescribed 
period  of  probation,  were    received    as  "  members    in    full  con- 


[28  HISTORY   (>/■'   WDUSTRY. 

nection."  Their  son,  Nathaniel  M.,  experienced  religion  in 
[825,  joined  the  class,  and  in  due  time  was  received  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  church.  In  after  life  he  took  an  active  part  in 
prayer  and  social  meetings,  and  was  a  class  leader  at  the  time 
of  his  death,  October  19,  [843. 

In  June,  1825,  a  camp-meeting  was  held  in  a  grove  near 
Capt.  John  Thompson's.  There  were  a  dozen  or  fifteen  rude 
cloth  tents  erected  on  the  ground  with  a  stand  made  of  poles 
and  a  few  rough  boards.  The  total  expense  to  be  paid  by  the 
encampment  was  only  eleven  dollars !  This  amount  was 
promptly  raised  by  taking  up  a  collection.  Father  Thompson, 
as  he  was  often  called,  took  an  active  part  in  the  meetings. 
Among  the  converts  was  the  late  John  Allen,  who  has  since 
won  the  title  of  "Campmeeting  John"  by  his  fondness  for 
attending  those  religious  gatherings.  Soon  after  his  conversion 
he  received  an  exhorter's  license,  and  in  1828,  that  of  a  local 
preacher,  which  he  held  for  seven  years,  frequently  participat- 
ing in  revival  work.  In  1835  he  was  admitted  to  the  Maine 
Conference,  where  he  labored  with  success,  as  a  circuit  minister, 
for  many  years.  On  twelve  circuits,  after  joining  the  confer- 
ence, he  baptized  648  converts,  or  an  average  of  54  for  each 
circuit.  In  several  instances  the  number  exceeding  one  hun- 
dred on  a  single  circuit.  After  traveling  on  circuits  for  twenty- 
two  years,  he  became  an  evangelist,  in  which  capacity  he 
labored  in  various  places  in  Maine  and  Massachusetts,  and  in 
nearly  every  instance  his  labors  were  blessed  by  a  reformation. 
For  the  ten  years  or  more  that  he  thus  labored  he  kept  no 
account  of  the  number  converted,  but  left  this  to  the  preach- 
ers in  charge.  "Hut,"  says  Flder  Allen,  "I  hesitate  not  to  say 
that  quite  a  number  of  hundred  were  converted  during  these 
years."  He  lived  to  the  ripe  age  of  nearly  ninety-two  and 
one-half  years,  and  died  August  31,  1887,  while  attending  the 
East  Livermore  Camp-meeting. 

William  Frederic,  of  Stark,  who  died  March  19,  1S92,  and 
Samuel  Patterson,  of  this  town,  also  deceased,  were  converted 
at    the  same   camp-meeting.      A  second    meeting    held    at    the 


RELIGIOUS  HISTORY.  I  29 

same   place    in   September,  1826,  was  well  attended,  and  nearly 
one  hundred  persons  were  converted  during   its  continuation. 

In  the  fall  of  1841*  a  camp-meeting  was  held  in  a  grove  on 
the  farm  of  David  Merry, f  one  mile  north  from  West's  Mills, 
and  was  known  as  John  Allen's  Camp-meeting,  from  the  fact 
that  he  was  the  originator  of  the  project.  At  this  meeting 
Rev.  Heman  Nickerson  presided,  but  was  called  away  when  the 
meeting  was  about  half  through.  On  leaving,  Elder  Nickerson 
put  the  management  into  Elder  Allen's  hands,  who  conducted 
it  to  a  successful  termination.  Quite  a  number  were  con- 
verted during  the  week,  and  on  the  whole  it  was  a  very  prosper- 
ous meeting.  "This,"  says  the  venerable  Campmeeting  John, 
"was  the  only  time  I  acted  as  presiding  elder  at  a  camp- 
meeting."  During  the  last  days  of  the  meeting  a  band  of 
rowdies,  from  Anson,  calling  themselves  "  Shad-eyes, "i  made  a 
great  deal  of  disturbance  about  the  encampment.  They  were 
joined  by  a  few  of  the  more  dissolute  young  men  from  Indus- 
try and  during  the  night,  before  the  breaking  up  of  the  en- 
campment in  the  morning,  their  yells  and  howlings  became 
hideous  in  the  extreme.  They  also  boasted  "  That  they  would 
carry  Allen  (meaning  Campmeeting  John)  off  before  morning." 
How  well  they  succeeded  we  will  allow  Elder  John  to  relate  in 
his  own  quaint  yet  forcible  language  :  "  On  hearing  their  threat 
I  felt  somewhat  alarmed,  but  called  out  a  watch  to  go  among  them 
and  if  possible  ascertain  the  names  of  the  leaders.  The  men 
took  lanterns  and  went  up  into  the  field  where  the  desperadoes 


*  Authority  of  Rev.  John  Allen.  Mrs.  Warren  Cornforth,  who  possesses  a  remark- 
ably retentive  memory,  says  this  date  is  incorrect.  She  states  that  her  father,  Col. 
Benjamin  Luce,  who  died  July  14,  1842,  was  ill  and  died  during  the  progress  or  very 
soon  after  the  close  of  this  meeting.  Elder  Allen  was  the  circuit  minister  and 
attended  Col.  Luce's  funeral.  The  conference  which  appointed  him  to  this  pastorate 
convened  at  Skowhegan,  July  21,  1841,  and  the  following  year  he  was  sent  to  an- 
other field  of  labor.  The  author  is  inclined  to  believe  Elder  Allen's  memory  was 
slightly  at  fault  in  this  instance,  and  to  accept  the  date  as  given  by  Mrs.  Cornforth. 

f  This  farm  is  now  owned  and  occupied  by  Charles  E.  Oliver. 

\  This  band  existed  for  some  years  and  became  the  terror  of  all  law-abiding 
citizens  in  the  communities  they  were  wont  to  infest.  Their  depredations  became  of 
such  frequent  occurrence  that,  among  the  inhabitants  shad-eying  and  malicious  mis- 
chief became  synonymous  terms. 


130  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

were  making  great  outcry.  One  of  their  number,  from  Indus- 
try, not  wishing  to  be  recognized,  on  seeing  our  men,  ran  and 
pitched  over  a  fence  in  order  to  elude  them.  lie  was  caught, 
however,  and  brought  to  the  light,  when  it  was  discovered  that 
it  was  a  man  by  the  name  of  Allen, — the  son  of  a  Baptist 
minister.  lie  offered  to  go  back  and  quell  the  racket  and  pay 
money  if  they  would  not  reveal  his  name.  The  night  wore 
away,  and  the  next  morning,  as  we  were  about  packing  up,  I 
told  the  people,  the  last  threat  I  heard  from  the  rowdies  was 
that  '  Allen  would  be  carried  off  before  morning,'  and  so  it  was, 
but  it  did  not  prove  to  be  me." 

In  1823*  a  meeting-house  was  built  near  Capt.  John  Thomp- 
son's. In  erecting  this  house  Capt.  Thompson  was  largely 
instrumental,  giving  liberally  in  material  and  money.  At  his 
mill  the  necessary  lumber  was  sawed,  and  the  house  was  almost 
universally  known  as  the  Thompson  Meeting-House.  It  was 
occasionally  called  the  Red  Meeting-House,  from  the  fact  that 
it  was  painted  red  on  the  outside.  By  the  most  strenuous 
efforts  the  frame  was  raised,  boarded  and  finished  outside 
the  first  season,  but  for  some  years  the  inside  remained 
unfinished  and  the  congregation  were  obliged  to  sit  on  rough 
plank  seats.  The  pulpit  first  erected  was  a  huge  affair,  access 
to  which  was  gained  by  a  flight  of  stairs  on  the  back  side.  When 
standing,  the  parson's  head  and  shoulders  could  just  be  seen 
above  the  top  of  the  desk.  Afterwards  the  inside  was  finished, 
and  years  later  the  pulpit  was  rebuilt  in  a  more  modern  style. 
This  was  the  first,  and  with  one  exception,  the  only  Methodist 
meeting-house,  strictly  speaking,  ever  built  in  Industry.  For 
years  large  congregations  gathered  here  to  worship,  but  in 
time  other  houses  were  built  in  contiguous  localities,  and 
the  tide  of  church-goers  turned  in  other  directions.  It  was 
torn  down    in   the  winter  of   1872-3,  and  moved   to  Goodridge's 


*  Dr.  Allen's  Methodism  in  Manic  gives  the  date  as  1822  (see  pp.  312,528). 
This  date  was  drawn  from  the  author's  own  manuscript  (see  note  />.  2g2),  but  in  the 
final  revision  the  change  was  made  in  consequence  of  newly  discovered  evidence. 
Of  the  early  days  of  this  house  Dr.  Stephen  Allen  writes:  "I  sometimes  attended 
meeting  in  the  Thompson  Meeting-House  and  heard  lively  singing  and  loud  shout- 
ing." 


RELIGIOUS   HISTORY.  I  3  I 

Corner,  where  it  was  rebuilt  as  a  factory  for  the  Enterprise 
Cheese  Company.  Thus  was  forever  obliterated  one  of  the 
most  important  mementos  of  early  Methodism  in  Industry,  and 
one  with  which  the  name  of  good  old  Father  Thompson 
was  inseparably  connected. 

General  prosperity  attended  the  church  from  1825  to  1830. 
In  the  month  of  June,  1830,  the  Industry  circuit  was  divided, 
New  Portland  and  New  Vineyard  being  set  off  as  a  separate 
circuit.  Houses  of  worship  had  been  erected  at  the  centre  of 
the  town  and  at  West's  Mills,  by  the  united  efforts  of  the  sev- 
eral christian  denominations  of  the  town. 

Many  of  the  church  members  formed  themselves  into  a 
missionary  society  in  1838.  This  society  was  auxiliary  to  the 
Maine  Conference  Missionary  Society  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 
The  membership  fee  was  twenty-five  cents  for  males  and  twelve 
and  one-half  cents  for  females,  to  be  paid  annually.  At  the 
end  of  the  second  year  this  society  numbered  139  members  in 
the  towns  of  Industry  and  Stark. 

From  1830  to  1835  many  new  converts  were  baptized  and 
received  into  the  church,  and  general  prosperity  attended  the 
society.  James  Cutts  experienced  religion  under  the  preaching 
of  James  Farrington  in  1835,  and  two  years  afterwards  was 
baptized  by  Father  Winslow  and  joined  the  church,  of  which 
he  was  a  leading  and  influential  member  for  many  years.  He 
always  contributed  liberally  for  the  support  of  the  gospel,  as 
well  as  for  other  worthy  charitable  objects.  He  was  frequently 
called  to  fill  important  positions  in  the  church,  and  held  the 
office  of  district  steward  at  the  time  of  his  removal  to  Farm- 
ington  in  1868. 

In  July,  1841,  "  Campmeeting  John  Allen  was  appointed 
by  the  Conference  as  preacher  on  the  Industry  circuit.  A 
series  of  revival  meetings  were  started  at  West's  Mills,  in  the 
month  of  March  following,  by  Elder  Allen,  assisted  by  such  of 
the  laity  as  were  willing  to  aid  in  the  work.  William  Folsom, 
who  is  now  (1892)  a  lawyer  in  Somerset  County,  was  among 
the  first  fruits  of  this  revival.  Others  followed  in  rapid  suc- 
cession  and    a  wonderful    reformation  was   the    ultimate  result. 


132  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

The  good  work  thus  begun  spread  rapidly,  first  to  the  Thomp- 
son neighborhood  and  from  thence  to  the  Goodridge  neighbor- 
hood and  the  centre  of  the  town,  and  from  there  to  Stark. 
Within  two  months  more  than  one  hundred  were  converted, 
nearly  all  of  whom  Elder  Allen  baptized  and  received  into  the 
church  on  trial  before  leaving  Industry.  He  had  no  ministerial 
assistance  in  this  revival  work  save  an  occasional  sermon  from 
some  brother  minister. 

Some  of  the  leading  members  of  the  church  had  opposed 
Elder  Allen's  appointment.  There  was  a  high  school  in  the 
Thompson  neighborhood,  and  they  wanted  a  minister  of  greater 
learning.  This  placed  Elder  Allen  at  a  disadvantage  for  a 
time,  but  on  the  breaking  out  of  the  reformation,  nearly  every 
pupil  of  the  school  was  converted,  together  with  the  children 
of  the  steward  who  opposed  his  coming.  This  gentleman  sub- 
sequently made  a  humble  apology  for  his  opposition,  when 
Elder  Allen  retorted,  "  It's  just  good  enough  for  you,  sir,  to 
have  all  of  your  children  converted."  It  is  doubtful  if  ever  a 
minister  left  town,  after  a  year's  sojourn,  more  loved  and  re- 
spected than  was  Elder  Allen  at  the  close  of  his  labors  in  1842. 
Though  half  a  century  has  elapsed  since  he  bade  adieu  to  the 
church  of  Industry,  as  its  pastor,  children  and  grandchildren 
of  those  converted  under  his  teachings  rise  up  to  call  him 
blessed. 

Zebulon  Manter,  Jr.,  having  experienced  religion,  was  re- 
ceived into  the  church,  and  for  a  time  was  one  of  its  class 
leaders.  Being  a  person  of  marked  ability  he  was  licensed  as 
local  preacher,  at  a  quarterly  conference  held  Aug.  29,  1840. 
A  year  later  he  joined  the  Maine  Conference,  and  in  1844  was 
stationed  on  the  Industry  circuit.  While  stationed  here  he 
married  Mary  Manter,  daughter  of  Capt.  Elijah  Manter,  and 
soon  after  located.  He  took  the  order  of  deacon  in  1846,  upon 
the  recommendation  of  the  quarterly  conference.  Of  a  reflec- 
tive turn  of  mind,  he  became  convinced  that  from  death  to  the 
resurrection,  man  would  remain  in  an  unconscious  state  and 
that,  at  the  final  resurrection,  the  righteous  would  be  made 
immortal  and   the  wicked   be  destroyed  and  reduced   to  the  ele- 


RELIGIOUS  HISTORY.  I  33 

merits  from  which  they  originated.  By  disseminating  these 
views,  which  were  at  variance  with  the  acknowledged  doctrines 
of  the  church,  he  soon  attracted  attention  of  the  authorities 
and  was  suspended  by  a  council  of  local  preachers  on  the  31st 
day  of  March,  1847.  He  was  afterward  expelled  at  the  suc- 
ceeding quarterly  conference,  and  though  his  only  offense  was 
a  difference  of  religious  opinion,  he  was  dogmatically  denied 
any  participation  in  their  subsequent  religious  meetings.  He 
eventually  joined  a  society  known  as  the  Christian  Band,  where 
he  undoubtedly  enjoyed  greater  freedom  of  thought  and 
opinion. 

General  Nathan  Goodridge,  a  worthy  and  influential  citizen 
of  Industry,  joined  the  Methodist  class  in  his  neighborhood 
soon  after  the  great  revival  of  1842,  and  was  immediately  ap- 
pointed class  leader.  After  the  usual  probation  he  was  received 
into  the  church,  of  which  he  became  a  valued  member.  Uni- 
versally honored  and  respected,  he  wielded  a  powerful  influence 
for  the  cause  of  religion  and  closed  a  blameless  life  Sept.  30, 
1871. 

John  Frost,  an  honest,  upright  man  and  a  member  of  the 
M.  E.  Church,  moved  into  town  in  1835.  He  was  for  many 
years  a  class  leader  and  a  licensed  exhorter.  He  lived  in  town 
more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century  and  then  removed  to  Farm- 
ington,  Me.,  where  he  died  a  few  years  since. 

Guy  Gray  came  to  Industry  in  1833  and  settled  near 
Tibbetts's  Corner,  on  what  was  afterwards  known  as  the 
Leaver  place.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Free  Will  Baptist 
denomination,  but,  severing  his  connection  with  that  church, 
he  joined  the  Methodists.  He  was  licensed  as  a  local  preacher 
in  January,  1838,  by  the  latter  denomination,  and  subse- 
quently went  to  Dead  River,  where  he  continued  his  labors  in 
the   ministry. 

Prior  to  1839  the  Industry  circuit  had  no  parsonage  for  their 
pastor,  but  were  obliged  to  hire  a  tenement  for  his  use  where- 
ever  a  suitable  one  could  be  found.  But  during  this  year  a 
small  house  and  stable  were  erected  on  a  lot  opposite  the  In- 
dustry North  Meeting-House,  at  West's  Mills,  for  the  use  of  the 

17 


134  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

minister  stationed  on  the  circuit."  Notwithstanding  the  efforts 
made  to  raise  funds  to  liquidate  the  indebtedness  thus  incurred, 
the  debt  hung  heavily  on  their  hands.  Various  expedients  were 
resorted  to,  such  as  apportioning  the  amount  to  the  various 
classes  by  the  trustees,  passing  subscription  papers,  etc.,  but  the 
debt  still  remained  unpaid.  Twice  the  trustees  were  instructed 
to  sell  the  house  and  devote  the  proceeds  to  paying  off  the 
debt.  But  for  want  of  a  customer,  or  some  other  cause,  the 
property  was  not  sold.  At  the  beginning  of  the  year  1844  the 
debt  had  been  reduced  to  $190.  By  July  20,  1844,  so  suc- 
cessful had  those  engaged  in  soliciting  subscriptions  been  that 
only  forty  dollars  remained  unpaid.  For  this  sum  eight  be- 
nevolent members  became  equally  responsible,  viz. :  James 
Thompson,  Isaac  Daggett,  Ebenezer  Swift,  Nathan  Goodridge, 
Robert  Thompson,  James  Cutts,  John  West  Manter  and  James 
G.  Waugh.  Thus  within  rive  years  the  society  freed  itself 
from  the  heavy  debt  which  the  building  of  a  parsonage  had 
incurred.  A  committee  was  appointed  by  the  quarterly  con- 
ference in  May,  1852,  previous  to  the  appointment  of  Rev. 
Isaac  Lord  as  pastor  of  the  circuit,  to  examine  the  parsonage 
and  make  certain  needed  repairs.  Although  some  work  had 
been  done,  the  house  was  still  in  an  uninhabitable  condition 
when  the  minister  arrived. 

With  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  brethren,  Elder  Lord 
built  an  addition  of  fourteen  feet  to  the  east  end  of  the  house 
and  finished  it  throughout.  He  also  moved  and  repaired  the 
shed  and  stable.     The  total  cost  of  these  improvements,  includ- 

*  The  parsonage  lot  was  deeded  to  the  society  April  5,  1836,  by  Col.  Samuel 
Daggett  and  James  Thompson.  The  writer  is  unable  to  account  for  the  discrepancy 
between  this  date  and  the  one  given  in  the  text.  The  latter,  gleaned  from  a  careful 
examination  of  the  church  records  for  that  period,  was  believed  to  be  correct.  Hut 
a  discovery  of  the  deed  (Somerset  Registry  of  Deeds,  Hook  ./_\  p.  20S )  wherein  the 
bounds  are  described  as  follows,  shows  that  the  house  must  have  been  erected  prior 
to  1836:  "  Beginning  one  foot  north  of  the  northwest  corner  of  the  parsonage 
house,  thence  south  by  the  road  four  rods  and  three  feet,  thence  east  three  rods  and 
six  feet  to  a  stake  and  stone,  thence  north  four  rods  and  three  feet  to  a  stake  and 
stone,  thence  west  to  the  first  mentioned  bounds.  Likewise  to  east  line  of  Lot.  No. 
28."  The  only  explanation  the  writer  can  offer  is  that,  although  erected  previously, 
it  was  not  rendered  habitable  until  the  date-  named  in  the  church  records. 


RELIGIOUS   HISTORY.  I  35 

ing  labor,  was  nearly  $200.  The  cash  portion,  or  the  sum  paid 
for  material,  etc.,  was  promptly  raised,  by  contribution,  about 
the  time  or  soon  after  the  work  was  completed.  Rev.  Jonathan 
Fairbanks,  when  stationed  on  this  circuit,  in  1863,  made  exten- 
sive repairs  on  the  stable,  and  by  enlarging  added  greatly  to 
its  capacity  and  convenience. 

In  May,  1878,  Rev.  Silas  F.  Strout  was  appointed  pastor  of 
the  church  on  Industry  circuit.  Soon  "after  his  arrival  the 
church  people,  ably  seconded  by  those  outside,  begun  impor- 
tant repairs  on  the  parsonage,  the  first  step  in  this  direction  be- 
ing a  substantial  underpinning  of  split  stone.  The  inside  finish 
was  torn  out  and  the  rooms  more  conveniently  arranged,  the 
chimney  rebuilt,  the  roof  shingled  and  a  portion  of  the  walls 
clapboarded,  the  final  result  of  all  these  improvements  being  a 
house  which  would  suffer  no  disparagement  by  comparison 
with  the  parsonage  of  any  country  village.  Perhaps  to  no  two 
men  was  due  so  large  a  share  of  credit  for  the  success  of  this 
undertaking  as  to  Richard  Caswell  and  Hovey  Thomas,  the  lat- 
ter planning  the  interior  and  superintending  all  the  carpentry 
work.  The  total  cost  of  these  repairs  was  $319.50,  of  which 
sum  the  people  of  Stark  contributed  about  forty  dollars  in 
labor  and  money.  The  following  persons  in  Industry  gave  in 
labor,  material  and  money  to  the  amount  of  five  dollars  or 
more : 

Richard  Caswell,  $43.00. 

Hovey  Thomas,  35-97- 

Amos  S.  Hinkley,  4i-5°- 

Augustus  H.  Swift,  14.00 

Warren  Cornforth,  20.68. 

Philip  A.  Storer.  20.00. 

Benj'n  W.  Norton,  18.74. 

Elias  H.  Yeaton,  8.00. 

Asa  H.  Patterson  and  wife,  9.00. 

Franklin  W.  Patterson,  8.00. 

Alonzo  Norton  and  wife,  7.00. 

David  M.  Norton  and  wife,  7-5°- 

John  W.  Frederic,  8.25 

George  W.  Johnson,  5.00 

Rev.  Silas  F.  Strout,  10.21 


i  3 '  >  HISTi  >A' ) "  t >/■'  WDl  'SIR \ '. 

In  addition  to  the  above,  thirty  persons  contributed  sums 
varying  from  fifty  cents  to  four  dollars. 

When  the  work  was  nearly  completed,  it  was  found  that 
unless  some  method  was  adopted  to  equalize  the  expense  it 
would  fall  with  unjust  weight  on  Messrs.  Caswell  and  Thomas. 
On  the  14th  of  (  October  seven  of  the  wealthiest  church  mem- 
bers in  town,  including  the  two  gentlemen  just  mentioned,  drew 
up  and  signed  an  agreement  to  pay  all  expenses  not  otherwise 
provided  for,  incurred  in  making  repairs  on  the  parsonage, 
each  one's  proportion  to  be  determined  by  the  selectmen's 
valuation  of  the  previous  spring.  Though  some  paid  their  assess- 
ment promptly,  by  the  failure  of  others  to  comply  with  the 
terms  of  the  agreement,  Mr.  Caswell  and  Mr.  Thomas  each  lost 
a  considerable  sum. 

From  1842  to  1853  little  of  importance  occurred  in  the 
history  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  Industry.  As 
a  rule  the  meetings  were  well  attended  and  the  affairs  of  the 
society,  both  spiritually  and  financially,  were  in  a  prosperous 
condition.  John  Allen  was  succeeded  in  the  pastorate  by  Abel 
Alton,  who  remained  with  the  society  but  one  year.  He  in  turn 
was    followed   by  Harry  W.  Latham. 

The  church  sustained  a  serious  loss  in  1854,  by  the  death 
of  Robert  Thompson,  Esq.,  an  active  and  influential  member 
who  died  on  the  21st  da}7  of  February,  after  a  long  and  painful 
illness.  He  had  been  a  licensed  exhorter  for  many  years,  also 
a  class  leader,  and   his  death  was  lamented   by  all. 

Occasional  revivals  occurred  after  the  great  revival  in  1842 
up  to  1865,  but  none  of  great  extent.  Heman  Nickerson,  a 
preacher  of  considerable  ability,  was  stationed  on  the  circuit  in 
1849.  He  was  succeeded  the  following  year  by  Joseph  Gerry, 
and  Elder  Gerry  in  turn,  by  James  Farrington,  in  1851.  Elder 
Farrington  was  a  man  of  eminent  piety,  of  a  mild  disposition, 
and  greatly  loved  and  respected  by  his  parishioners.  He  was 
again  stationed  upon  the  circuit  for  a  year  in  1857.* 


*The  church  voted  in  1S57  to  allow  Elder  lames  Farrington  to  preach  at  Madi- 
son Bridge  once  in  four  weeks.  The  following  year  the  time  was  divided  as  follows: 
"At  the  Industry  North  Meeting-House,  Centre  and  Thompson  Meeting-Houses  in 
Industry,  and  at  the  Union  Meeting-House  in  Stark,  once  in  four  weeks." 


RELIGIOUS  HISTORY.  137 

James  Stevens,  a  very  benevolent  and  influential  member  of 
the  church,  died  in  1858.  He  had  been  a  member  of  the 
Industry  church  for  nearly  forty  years,  and  during  this  time 
had  done  much  for  the  support  of  the  gospel  besides  con- 
tributing liberally  for  the  missionary  and  Bible  cause. 

Jonathan  Fairbanks  was  stationed  on  the  circuit  during  the 
years  1863  and  1864.  During  the  last  year  of  his  stay,  ten 
converts  were  received  on  probation.  Elder  Fairbanks  was 
succeeded  by  Thomas  J.  True,*  who  also  remained  on  the 
circuit  for  two  years.  During  the  second  year  of  his  pastorate 
he  commenced  a  series  of  meetings  at  the  Union  school-house, 
on  the  2 1st  of  October,  1866,  which  culminated  in  an  exten- 
sive revival.  On  the  11th  of  December  following,  the  meetings 
were  removed  to  West's  Mills.  During  the  continuation  of 
these  meetings  a  large  number  of  persons  were  converted, 
among  whom  were  James  Norton  and  several  members  of  his 
family,  Daniel  Hilton,  Charles  E.  Woodcock,  now  a  successful 
minister  of  the  Free  Will  Baptist  Church.  While  the  meetings 
were  being  held  at  West's  Mills,  another  revival  was  in  progress 
at  Withee's  Corner,  where  the  labors  of  Elder  John  P.  Cole 
and  others  were  producing  a  marked  result.  As  the  fruits  of 
this  extended  reformation  sixty-seven  persons  were  received  on 
probation  by  the  Methodist  Church,  while  a  considerable  num- 
ber joined  other  churches. 

George  Manter,  who  had  made  a  profession  of  religion  in 
1837,  became  awakened  under  the  preaching  of  Rev.  Thomas 
J.  True,  during  the  progress  of  the  revival  in  the  winter  of 
1866—7,  and  joined  the  Methodist  Church,  of  which  he  re- 
mained an  active  and  useful  member  to  the  close  of  his  life. 
He    filled    many  responsible    positions    in   the   society,  such    as 


*  Thomas  Jefferson  True  was  born  Sept.  1,  1S0S.  He  entered  the  minis- 
try at  the  age  of  twenty-eight,  and  was  for  thirty-rive  years  a  member  of  the  Maine 
Conference  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  In  consequence  of  poor  health,  he  was  obliged  to 
lay  aside  all  ministerial  work  in  1879.  He  subsequently  settled  in  Minot,  Me.,  where 
he  died,  after  a  long  and  painful  illness,  Dec.  21,  1886.  His  parents,  Zebulon  and 
Martha  (Kannady)  True,  were  among  the  pioneer  settlers  to  the  town  of  Farmington. 
After  a  few  years  they  removed  to  Temple,  where  their  son  Thomas  J.,  the  tenth  of  a 
family  of  twelve  children,  was  born. 


[38  HISTORY    OF   INDUSTRY. 

steward,  class  leader  and  superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school. 
Benjamin  Warren  Norton,  and  also  his  wife,  made  a  profession  of 
religion  during  the  1866—7  revival.  He  immediately  identified 
himself  with  the  Methodist  Society  at  West's  Mills,  and,  like 
Mr.  Manter,  became  a  prominent  member.  He  was  highly 
esteemed  for  his  sterling  worth  and  exemplary  christian  life. 
His  removal  to  the  State  of  Iowa  in  the  spring  of  1886  was  a 
great   loss  to  the  society. 

Warren  Cornforth  made  a  public  profession  of  religion 
about  the  same  time  as  did  Mr.  Norton  and  others.  He  has 
ever  been  a  faithful,  consistent  christian  and  a  worthy  member 
of  the  church  militant,  giving  liberally  for  the  support  of  the 
gospel  and  other  charitable  objects.  Both  he  and  his  wife 
were  deeply  interested  in  the  erection  of  the  new  Methodist 
Church  at  West's  Mills,  and  were  instrumental  in  hastening  its 
completion. 

Amos  S.  Hinkley  and  several  members  of  his  family  pro- 
fessed religion  under  the  labors  of  David  Pratt,  Jr.,  and  became 
members  of  the  Industry  church.  Mr.  Hinkley  was  a  christian 
whose  life  abounded  in  works  as  well  as  words,  being  a  gener- 
ous giver  as  well  as  an  earnest  advocate  of  the  cause  of  Christ. 
His  family  were  highly  respected  and  wielded  a  powerful  influ- 
ence in  behalf  of  the  christian  religion.  Their  removal  to 
Farmington  in  1883  was  a  loss  to  both  church  and  community. 

Philip  A.  Storer  and  wife,  were  also  active  members  of  the 
church  until  their  removal   from  town  in  1880. 

Calvin  Bryant  Fish  and  wife,  are  among  the  most  efficient 
members  of  the  church  at  the  present  time.  Both  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Fish  have  held  the  office  of  steward,  and  the  former  has 
been  trustee  of  church  property  and  superintendent  of  the 
Sunday-school  at  West's  Mills  for  several  years. 

Richard  Caswell  and  wife,  who  came  to  Industry  from 
Farmington  in  1875,  and  subsequently  settled  at  West's  Mills, 
are  also  among  those  who  support  the  gospel  by  generous 
gifts. 

Another  convert  of  the  great  revival  of  1866—7  was  Elisha 
Fish,  a   man  who   had   been  a  slave  to  strong  drink  for  many 


RELIGIOUS  HISTORY.  I  39 

years.  Through  Divine  grace  he  was  enabled  to  break  away 
from  his  habit,  and  although  sometimes  sorely  tempted  by 
former  associates,  he  led,  for  a  period  of  more  than  twenty 
years  prior  to  his  death,  a  temperate,  christian  life. 

James  Edgecomb  and  wife,  who  came  from  Livermore,  Me., 
in  1 854,  were  admitted  to  the  Industry  church  by  letter  soon  after 
their  arrival  in  town.  Their  kindly  deeds  of  christian  charity 
and  interest  in  every  good  work,  have  won  for  them  the  friendly 
regard  and  high  esteem  of  a  wide  circle  of  acquaintances. 

In  the  death  of  Hovey  Thomas,  Oct.  25,  1891,  the  society 
sustained  a  serious  loss.  Mr.  Thomas  came  to  town  from  New 
Vineyard,  about  1870,  and  resided  at  Goodridge's  Corner  with 
his  father-in-law,  Mark  Emery.  He  was  ever  ready  to  assist  in 
every  good  work  and  a  generous  giver  for  the  support  of 
preaching.  When  the  Centre  Meeting-House  was  repaired  the 
work  was  done  after  his  plans  and  largely  by  himself,  as  was 
also  the  repairs  on  the  Methodist  parsonage  at  West's  Mills. 
He  likewise  planned  and  framed  the  Methodist  Church  at  the 
same  place. 

Daniel  Waterhouse  was  Rev.  Mr.  True's  successor  on  the 
Industry  and  Stark  circuit  in  the  spring  of  1867.  During  his 
pastorate  he  labored  zealously  for  the  interests  of  the  society. 
Several  were  converted,  quite  a  number  baptized  and  many  re- 
ceived into  the  church.  He  also  did  much  toward  building  up 
a  flourishing  Sunday-school  at  West's  Mills,  where  many  new 
books  were  added  to  the  library.*  There  was  no  unusual  re- 
ligious interest  in  town  after  the  departure  of  Rev.  Mr.  Water- 
house,  until  Rev.  David  Pratt,  Jr.,  came  to  the  circuit  as  pastor, 
in  1876-7.  True,  there  had  been  occasional  conversions,  but 
nothing  like  a  revival  interest  manifested.  The  second  year  of 
Elder  Pratt's  labors  was  marked  by  a  deep  interest  and  several 
conversions. 


*  His  pastoral  labors  during  the  last  year  (1S6S)  of  his  sojourn  on  the  Industry 
and  Stark  circuit,  were  of  a  decidedly  onerous  nature,  beset  with  many  embarrassing 
perplexities.  The  movement  which  culminated  in  the  erection  of  a  Methodist  house 
of  worship  at  Stark  village  had  its  origin,  growth  and  fruition  ere  Elder  Waterhouse 
left  the  circuit. 


140 


HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY 


The  Methodist  Society,  in  common  with  other  christian 
denominations  in  Industry,  has  lost  heavily  in  membership  dur- 
ing the  past  quarter  of  a  century,  by  reason  of  deaths  and  re- 
movals, until  at  the  present  writing  (  [892)  the  society  numbers 
not  more  than  thirty-five  resident  members  in  good  standing. 
The  house  of  worship  at  West's  Mills,  built  to  replace  the  one 
burned  in  1881,  gave  a  new  impetus,  not  only  to  the  Sunday- 
school,  but  also  to  church  attendance.* 

This  house  was  built  largely  through  the  untiring  labors  of 
Rev.  John  R.  Masterman,  ably  seconded  by  his  parishioners, 
and  is  a  worthy  monument  to  his  three  years'  pastorate  on 
Industry  circuit. 

Rev.  George  VV.  Barber  was  appointed  pastor  on  Industry 
circuit  in  1890,  as  successor  to  Elder  Masterman,  and  is  still 
serving.  The  circuit  was  enlarged  in  the  spring  of  1890  by 
the  addition  of  New  Vineyard,  and  Methodist  preaching  is  had 
once  in  four  weeks  at  New  Vineyard  Mills  and  Talcott's 
Corner. 

A  List  of  the  Ministers  stationed  on  the    Industry   Circuit  from 
17Q4  to  i8g2. 


'794 

Philip  Wager  and  Thomas  Coop. 

!795 

Elias  Hull  and    Enoch  Mudge. 

1796 

John  Broadhead. 

*797 

Joshua  Taylor. 

1798 

Oliver  Beal. 

1  799 

John  Broadhead. 

1800 

Daniel  Webb. 

1 80 1 

Aaron  Humphrey. 

1802 

Nathan  Emery. 

1803 

Joseph   Baker, 

1804 

-5.      Daniel    Ricker. 

1 806 

Luther  Chamberlain. 

1807 

Eben   Fairbank. 

1 S08 

Caleb   Fogg. 

1809 

Isaiah   Emerson. 

*  For  a  full   history  of  this  church,  its  erection  and  dedication,  see  Chapter  XIX. 
of  this  volume. 


M.   E.  CHURCH   AT  WEST'S  MILLS. 


Engraved  by  the  Lux  Engraving  Co.,  Boston. 
From  a  photograph  made  in  1S92  by  [ngalls  &  Knowlton,  Farminglon,  Me 


RELIGIOUS  HISTORY 


141 


1810 

Joshua  Randall. 

1S11 

Jonathan  Worthen. 

l8  I  2 

Joseph  Baker. 

1813 

Robert  Hayes. 

l8l4 

Joshua  Randall. 

1S15 

Henry  True. 

l8l6 

John  Atwell. 

1S17 

David   Hutchinson. 

l8l8 

John  S.  Ayer. 

1819 

Benjamin   Ayer. 

182O 

William   McGrey. 

I82I 

John  Atwell. 

1822 

Philip  Ayer. 

1S23 

Daniel  Wentworth. 

1S24- 

-5.     Ezekiel   Robinson. 

1826 

Henry  True  and  Elliott  B.  Fletcher. 

1  S27 

Elisha  Streeter  and  Martin  Ward. 

1828 

Peter  Burgess. 

1829 

Peter  Burgess  and   James  Warren,  1st 

1S3O 

Elisha  Streeter. 

1 83  I 

John   Perrin. 

[832 

Samuel   P.  Blake. 

1833 

Aaron   Fuller. 

1834 

Asa   Heath. 

1835 

James    Harrington. 

1836 

To  be  supplied.* 

r837 

-8.     Thomas  Smith. 

1839 

Charles  L.  Browning. 

1840 

Jesse  Harriman. 

1S41 

John  Allen. 

1842 

Abel  Alton. 

*  Although  having  an  appointment  on  Palmyra  circuit,  it  is  believed  Rev.  Theo- 
dore Hill  was  one  of  the  supplies  in  1836.  He  held  a  series  of  revival  meetings  at 
the  Union  School-house  during  the  autumnal  months,  and  the  author's  mother  was 
one  of  his  converts.  She  was  baptized  the  following  year  and  in  September,  1837, 
received  as  a  member  of  the  class  in  John  Frost's  neighborhood. 

Since  the  foregoing  was  put  in  type  the  writer  has  learned  that  when  the  census 
was  taken,  March  1,  1837,  preparatory  to  apportioning  the  surplus  revenue  (see 
Chap.  XV.),  Rev.  Mr.  Hill  was  a  resident  of  Industry.  Therefore,  if  Dr.  Allen  is 
correct  in  stationing  him  on  Palmyra  circuit  (Methodism  in  Maine,  p.  J(?f),  it  is 
presumable  that  his  labors  there  occupied  but  a  small  portion  of  his  time,  and  that 
he  was  a  non-resident  pastor. 


18 


142  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY 

1843.     Harry  W.  Latham. 
1844.*     Zebulon   Manter,  Jr.f 
1845.     Peter  Burgess. 
[846.      Marcus  Wight. 
[847-8.     Silas  B.  Brackett. 
[849.     Human  Nickerson. 
1850.     Joseph  Gerry. 
185  1.     James  Farrington. 
1852-3.      Isaac  Lord. 
1854.     James  Armstrong. 
1855-6.     Joseph  Mooar 

1857.  James  Farrington. 

1858.  Isaac   Lord. 

1859.  Phineas  Libby. 

1 860-1.     Simeon  W.  Pierce. 
1862.     William    H.  Foster. 
1863-4.     Jonathan  Fairbanks. 
1865-6.     Thomas  J.  True. 
1867-8.     Daniel  Waterhouse. 
1869-70.      Henry   D.Crockett. 
1S71-2.      David  Church. 
1873-4.     Jeremiah    Harden. 
1875.     Jonathan    Fairbanks. 
1 8 76-7.      David    Pratt.  Jr. 
1878-9.     Silas   F.  Strout. 
1S80-1.     John  W.  Perry. 
1882-3.     Luther   P.  French. 
1884.     Benjamin   F.  Pease. % 
1885-6.     John   Robinson. 
1887-8-9.     John   R.  Masterman. 
1 800- 1 -2.     George  W.  Barber. 


THE    CONGREGATIONAL    CHURCH. 

"About  the  time  of  the  first  settlement  in  Industry,"  says 
William  Allen,  "Judith  Luce,  daughter  of  Daniel  Luce,  of  New 
Vineyard,  went  to  live  with   Samuel  Sewall,  in  Farmington,  and 


*  Two  ministers  to  be  supplied,     t  A  preacher  but  not  an  elder. 
J  Resigned  his  pastorate  in  June  on  account  of   feeble  health,  and  died  in  July, 
1884.      Pulpit  in    Industry  supplied  by  Rev.  Peter   E.  Norton,  of  Stark. 


RELIGIOUS   HISTORY.  143 

while  living  in  that  excellent  family  she  experienced  religion 
and  united  with  the  Congregational  Church."  She  subsequently 
married  John  Trask,  a  brother  of  Mrs.  Sewall.  In  the  mean- 
time her  father  had  removed  from  New  Vineyard  to  Industry, 
and  soon  after  her  marriage  she  and  her  husband  went  to  live 
with  him.  A  young  man  by  the  name  of  Jonathan  Bunker, 
living  near  Mr.  Sewall,  experienced  religion  under  the  teachings 
of  Mr.  Sewall  and  Rev.  Jotham  Sewall,  as  did  also  Mr.  Trask. 
They  embraced  fully  the  creed  of  their  patrons  and  united  with 
the  Congregational  Church  at  Farmington.  About  1797  Mr. 
Bunker  married  and  moved  to  Industry.  These  three  persons 
formed  the  nucleus  of  the  Congregational  Church  in  this  town. 
Probably  the  first  sermon  preached  in  town  by  a  minister  of 
this  denomination  was  by  Rev.  Jotham  Sewall,  of  Chesterville, 
about  the  middle  of  December  in  the  year  1800.*  Consid- 
erable snow  lay  on  the  ground  at  the  time,  and  the  roads  were 
untrodden.  Previous  to  the  day  appointed  for  the  meeting  a 
heavy  rain  had  fallen  ;  the  storm  cleared  off  cold,  forming  a 
crust,  and  rendering  riding  extremely  uncomfortable,  if  not 
decidedly  infeasible.  Consequently,  on  Saturday  morning 
Father  Sewall  started  on  foot  to  travel  the  distance,  some  ten 
or  twelve  miles.  Reaching  Sandy  River,  he  found  it  greatly 
swollen  from  the  recent  rain,  insomuch  that  it  had  overflowed 
much  of  the  adjoining  interval  land.  By  the  aid  of  a  friend 
with  his  canoe,  and  without  getting  much  wet,  he  reached  the 
opposite  shore  in  safety.      Continuing  his  weary  way  he  did  not 


*  Jotham  Sewall  was  born  in  York,  District  of  Maine,  Jan.  1,  1760.  He  was  a 
son  of  Henry  and  Abigail  Sewall,  the  youngest  of  a  family  of  rive  children.  He  was 
a  mason  by  trade  and  worked  at  this  business  previous  to  entering  the  ministry.  1 1  is 
personal  appearance  is  thus  described  by  Rev.  George  Shepard,  D.  D. :  "  He  was  tall, 
large  and  massy.  Dignity,  gravity  and  impressiveness  were  borne  on  his  frame  and 
features  —  one  of  those  robust,  compact,  solidly-built  men,  whose  very  size  and 
structure  indicated  the  natively  strong  and  great  mind.  'What  a  wide  man  he  is,' 
said  a  little  girl  as  he  left  the  room.  A  wide  man  he  was,  in  the  singular  breadth  of 
his  frame,  and  in  the  reach  of  his  christian  heart,  as  well  as  in  his  labor  for  souls  — 
broad  in  the  field  which  under  God  he  blessed  —  and  bright  his  crown  in  heaven." 
He  was  remarkably  simple  in  his  habits  of  living  and  dress,  and  proverbially  punctual 
to  his  appointments.      He  died  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety  years. 


144  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

reach  his  destination  until  long  after  sundown.'  rims  it  will  be 
seen  that  the  labors  of  the  pioneer  ministers  in  Industry  were 
attended  by  great  and  sometimes  perplexing  difficulties. 

On  the  2  1st  day  of  January,  1802,  a  little  more  than  a  year 
after  his  first  visit,  Rev.  Jotham  Sewall,  accompanied  by  his 
brother-in-law,  Mr.  Samuel  Sewall, f  a  licentiate,  visited  Industry 
and  held  a  meeting  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a  church.  A 
society  was  formed,  consisting,  as  we  learn  from  Rev.  Jotham 
Sewall's  Memoirs,  of  eight  members,  among  whom  were  William 
Allen,  Sr.,  John  Trask  and  wife,  and  Jonathan  Bunker. 

At  first  the  church  was  under  the  care  of  Samuel  Sewall,  of 
Farmington,  as  missionary.  Prior  to  the  organization  of  a 
church,  Rev.  Jotham  Sewall,  as  has  already  been  stated,  occa- 
sionally preached  in  town,  and  scarcely  more  than  three  weeks 
had  elapsed,  after  its  organization,  ere  we  find  him  back  again 
laboring  zealously  for  the  cause  of  his  Master  in  the  new  settle- 
ment. During  his  labors  in  this  town,  extending  over  a  period 
of  nearly  fifty  years,  he  preached  two  hundred  and  ten  sermons. 
Through  the  influence  of  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Trask,  and  her 
husband,  Mr.  Luce  and  three  of  his  sons,  namely,  Daniel, 
Truman, %  and  David,  having  experienced  religion,  were  induced 
to  join  this  church. 


*  It  is  related  that  on  the  way,  being  greatly  fatigued  he  paused  to  rest.  Almost 
disheartened  by  the  difficulties  of  his  journey,  he  kneeled  on  the  snow  and  asked  ( lod 
to  grant  him  the  salvation  of  one  soul  as  a  reward  for  his  labor.  His  prayer  was 
heard  and  graciously  answered;  in  after  years  a  lady  frequently  declared  that  her 
conversion  was  due  to  his  preaching  on  the  occasion  of  this  visit  to  Industry  settle- 
ment. 

t  This  Samuel  Sewall  was  the  one  afterwards  ordained  and  installed  pastor  ol 
the  Congregational  Church  in  Edgecomb,  and  not  as  Mr.  Greenleaf,  in  his  Ecclesias- 
tical Sketches  (see  p.  J/4),  says,  in  Sumner.  The  two  Samuels  were  cousins,  but  the 
one  settled  in  Sumner  was  not  licensed  until  some  years  after  the  organization  of  the 
church  in  Industry. 

%  This  information,  gleaned  from  Allen's  History  of  Industry,  must  be  erroneous, 
for  according  to  the  Christian  Mirror  Deacon  Luce  made  a  profession  of  religion 
in  1795,  and  was  the  first  deacon  of  the  Industry  church.  Therefore  it  would  seem 
that  he  was  one  of  its  original  members. 

Although,  in  its  early  days,  the  church  did  not,  as  a  body,  advocate  or  practice 
infant  baptism,  Deacon  Luce  formed  a  worthy  exception.  Being  a  firm  believer  in 
the  Abrahamic  covenant,  he  gave  up  all  his  children  in  the  ordinance  of  baptism. 
Later  this  custom  was  generally  adopted  by  members  of  the  Industry  church. 


RELIGIOUS  HISTORY.  145 

No  records  of  the  church  can  be  found  prior  to  the  date  of 
its  re-organization,  July  5,  1808,  at  which  time  Samuel  Mason 
was  elected  clerk.  As  near  as  the  writer  can  learn,  there  were 
some  fifteen  members  at  that  time,  including  Thomas  Johnson, 
Samuel  Mason,  and  William  Remick,  together  with  their  wives. 

On  the  10th  of  February,  18 10,  at  a  church  conference  held 
at  his  house  in  New  Vineyard,  Dr.  Thomas  Flint  and  wife- 
related  their  christian  experience  and  were  received  as  members 
of  the  Industry  church  ;  also,  about  the  same  time,  Sylvanus 
Allen,  probably  by  letter  from  the  Congregational  Church  at 
Chilmark,  Mass. 

Aside  from  the  labors  of  the  Sewalls,  the  first  minister  to 
preach  in  Industry  was  Rev.  David  P.  Smith,  sent  here  in  1 8 ui 
by  the  Maine  Missionary  Society,  one-third  of  the  time  for 
three  months.  After  Rev.  Mr.  Smith  closed  his  labors  with  the 
church,  Rev.  Jotham  Sewall  supplied  them  with  preaching  a 
portion  of  the  time  up  to  1820.  In  18  19  he  speaks  of  a  special 
religious  interest  being  manifested  in  town.  During  the  follow- 
ing year  (  1 820)  Rev.  Maurice  Carey  supplied  the  society  with 
preaching.  Rev.  Fifield  Holt  was  employed  for  a  short  time 
in  1 82 1,  and  one-fourth  of  the  time  in  1825.  In  1 821  Rev. 
Jacob  Hardy  also  preached  in  Industry  one-half  of  the  time 
for  six  months,  and  occasionally  for  several  years  thereafter. 
Rev.  Seneca  White  occupied  the  position  of  pastor  for  a  few 
months  in  1823.  From  1827  to  1830  Rev.  Joseph  Underwood 
labored  with  the  society  one-half  of  the  time.  Soon  after  this, 
Rev.  Josiah  Tucker  preached  in  town  at  irregular  intervals  for 
a  short  time. 

On  the  1 6th  day  of  September,  1832,  the  society  extended 
an  invitation  to  Alden  Boynton,*  a  licentiate  of  liberal  education, 
to  assume  the  pastoral  care  of  their  church.  The  invitation 
was  accepted,  and  consequently,  on  the  17th  of  October,  1832, 
he  was  ordained  pastor  at  the  Centre  Meeting-House.  Among 
the  ministers  who  were  present  on  the  occasion  and  partici- 
pated in  the  exercises,  were  Josiah  Peet,  Seneca  White,  Jotham 


*  Mr.  Boynton  was  a  graduate  of  Bowdoin  College  in   the  same  class  with  the 
poet  Longfellow  and  John  S.  C.  Abbott. 


14^  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

Sew  all,  Josiah  Fucker,  and  Isaac  Rogers.  The  ordination 
sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Mr.  White,  and  the  address  to 
the  church  was  delivered  by  Rev.  Isaac  Rogers.  After  his 
ordination,  Rev.  Mr.  Boynton,  being  a  single  man,  boarded  in 
the  family  of  David  Luce  a  large  portion  of  the  time  during 
his  stay  in  town. 

Among  other  ministers  who  had  occasionally  preached  in 
Industry  up  to  this  date  were  Rev.  Josiah  Peet,*  of  Xorridge- 
wock,  or  "  Parson  Peet,"  as  he  was  frequently  called  ;  also,  Rev. 
Isaac  Rogers,  of  Farmington. f 

From  the  earliest  preaching  up  to  near  the  close  of  the 
year  1829,  there  were  no  conveniences  for  public  worship,  save 
aj:  the  school-houses  or  at  the  homes  of  the  settlers.  During 
this  year,  however,  houses  of  worship  were  built  at  West's  Mills 
and  at  the  centre  of  the  town,  in  which  the  members  of  this 
church  owned  an  interest  in  common  with  other  religious 
denominations  of  the  town.  The  additional  facilities  which  the 
erection  of  these   houses  afforded  the  society  was   a  matter  of 


*  Rev.  Josiah  Peet,  who  for  a  period  of  nearly  forty  years  was  pastor  of  the 
Congregational  Church  at  Norridgewock,  was  a  man  of  noble  and  commanding 
presence,  tall,  dignilied  and  erect,  with  a  countenance  indicative  of  frankness  and 
benevolence.  He  was  held  in  high  esteem  by  his  parishioners,  and  though  his 
countenance  invariably  wore  a  look  of  melancholy  sadness,  he  could  appreciate  a 
good  joke  even  at  his  own  expense.  A  correspondent  in  the  Lewiston  Journal 
relates  the  following  anecdote  as  illustrative  of  this  characteristic  :  "  We  remember 
ai  the  raising  of  a  barn,  Mr.  Peet  was  present,  and  also  a  burly  Scotchman  named 
McDonald,  but  who  was  known  in  the  vicinity  as  '  Never-flinch.'  On  meeting  Mc- 
Donald, Mr.  Peet  pleasantly  made  the  remark:  'I  am  told  you  never  flinch.' 
'No,' said  Sandy,  ' except  when  I  hear  you  preach.'  In  the  general  laughter  that 
followed,  Mr.  Peet  contributed  an  audible  smile.  Mr.  Peet  was  indeed  a  fine  type  of 
an  old  school  Clergyman  of  the  'Standing  Order.'" 

t  Rev.  Isaac  Rogers,  son  of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Lowe)  Rogers,  and  grand- 
son of  Rev.  John  Rogers  of  Gloucester,  Essex  Co.,  Mass.,  was  born  in  that  place 
July  13,1795.  He  served  an  apprenticeship  as  a  printer  in  Boston,  and  was  em- 
ployed as  a  compositor  in  Newburyport;  was  a  student  at  Phillips  Academy,  An  - 
dover.  He  graduated  from  Dartmouth  College,  in  1822,  and  from  the  Andover 
Theological  Seminary  in  1825.  March  9,  1826,  he  was  ordained  pastor  of  the 
Congregational  Church  at  Farmington,  Me.,  which  position  he  tilled  for  a  period  of 
thirty-two  years.  He  married,  July  7,  1826,  Miss  Eliza  French,  of  Newburyport, 
Mass.  He  closed  a  well  spent  life  at  Farmington,  Me.,  Feb.  15,  1872,  having  survived 
his  wife  nearly  five  years. 


RELIGIOUS  HISTORY.  147 

considerable   importance,  and  unquestionably  added  greatly  to 
the  general  prosperity  of  the  church. 

The  first  statistical  information  which  the  writer  has  been 
able  to  obtain  concerning  the  church  was  for  the  year  1833,  at 
which  time  there  were  thirty-three  members  reported.  They 
also  had  a  Sunday-school  in  full  operation,  likewise  a  tract  and 
foreign  missionary  society.  Among  the  members  received  up 
to  this  time-  were  Esq.  Daniel  Shaw  and  wife,  by  letter,  from 
the  Tamworth,  N.  H.,  church  ;  Esq.  Cornelius  Norton,*  by  let- 
ter, from  the  Congregational  Church  at  Farmington ;  Supply 
B.  Norton,  Fisher  Viles,  Jacob  Hayes,  David  M.  Luce,  Stephen 
H.  Hayes,  Pelatiah  Shorey  and  wife,  Asaph  Boyden  and 
others. 

The  church  sustained  a  serious  loss  in  1833  by  the  with- 
drawal of  William  Remick  and  wife,  in  consequence  of  their 
removal  from  town.  Both  were  highly  esteemed  members  of 
the  church  and  Mr.  Remick  had  served  as  a  clerk  of  the  society 
for  a  number  of  years. 

With  very  few  exceptions,  the  early  members  of  the  Con- 
gregational church  were  people  of  the  strictest  integrity.  This 
soon  gained  for  the  society  a  reputation  for  respectability  which 
it  has  sedulously  maintained  down  to  the  present  time. 

Rev.  Mr.  Boynton,  was  much  liked,  and  remained  with  the 
society  until  Jan.  1,  1839,  when  he  was  dismissed  at  his  own 
request,  on  account  of  poor  health.  He  had  not  been  able  on 
this  account  to  preach  regularly  for  some  time  previous  to  his 
dismissal.  He  states  that  while  here  his  labors  were  greatly 
encouraged  by  the  deep  interest  manifested.  He  died  at  Wis- 
casset,  Me.,  Dec.  25,  1858,  aged  fifty-three  years.  During  the 
last  years  of  Mr.  Boynton's  stay,  Rev.  Josiah  Tucker,  Jotham 
Sewall  and  others,  kindly  supplied  his  pulpit  a  portion  of  the 
time. 

An  invitation  was  extended  in  August,  1838,  to  John  Per- 
ham   to   become  the  pastor  of   the  church   at    Industry.     The 


*  It  was  evidently  this  name  which  Dr.  Stephen  Allen  confounds  with  that  of 
Dea.  Cornelius  Norton  (see  foot  note,  p.  //./).  Esq.  Cornelius  Norton  was  the 
Deacon's  son. 


1 48  HISTORY    OF   INDUSTRY. 

"call"  was  accepted,  and  on  the  2d  of  January,  1839,  he  was 
ordained  at  the  Industry  North  Meeting-House,  at  West's  Mills. 
Among  the  ministers  present  and  assisting  in  the  ordination 
were:  Rev.  Joseph  Underwood,  Daniel  Sewall,  Isaac  Rogers, 
Samuel  Talbot,  Jotham  Sewall,*  Josiah  Tucker,  Parson  Peet,  etc. 
Elder  Perham's  labors  proved  very  acceptable  to  the  church 
and   he  was  held   in  high  esteem  by  all  who  knew  him. 

In  consequence  of  the  organization  of  Franklin  County,  in 
1838,  it  became  necessary  to  organize  a  new  county  conference. 
The  meeting  for  this  purpose  was  held  at  Strong,  Jan.  14  and 
15,  1839,  and  Rev.  John  Perham,  P2sq.  Cornelius  Norton,  Levi 
Cutler  and  Newman  T.  Allen,  were  sent  as  delegates  from  the 
church  at  Industry. 

Supply  Belcher  Norton  was  elected  a  deacon  of  the  church 
March  23,  1839,  and  continued  to  serve  in  that  capacity  until 
he  removed   from  town  in  the  spring  of  1  844. 

At  a  conference  meeting  held  at  the  Centre  Meeting-House 
in  September,  1839,  the  society  voted  to  hire  Elder  Perham 
two-thirds  of  the  time  for  the  ensuing  year,  and  fixed  his  sal- 
ary at  $233.33.  While  stationed  here,  he  labored  a  portion  of 
the  time  at  Flagstaff,  where  he  formed  a  branch  society  of  the 
Industry  church.  An  unusual  religious  interest  was  manifested 
in  town  in  1 841,  and  between  twenty  and  thirty  conversions 
were  reported.  Elder  Perham  further  states  that  "of  the 
twenty-five  members  of  the  choir  only  one  is  without  a  hope  in 
Christ,  "f 

Another  branch  of  the  Industry  church  was  formed  at 
Lexington  in  May,  1842,  with  eleven  members,  to  which  five 
others  were  soon  after  added  by  letter.  The  branch  church  at 
Flagstaff  also  added  largely  to  its  membership  during  this 
year. 

Probably  the  first  count}'  conference  ever  held    in    town    as- 


*  On  the  evening  before  tin- ordination,  a  meeting  was  held  in  honor  oi  Rev. 
fotham  Sewall,  at  which  he  was  invited  to  preach,  it  being  the  79th  anniversary  of 
his  birth. 

t  This  was  the  choir  at  the  Centre  of  the  town,  and  the  person  referred  to  is 
said   to   have   been    Benjamin   Allen.- 


RELIGIOUS  HISTORY.  1 49 

sembled  at  the  Industry  North  Meeting-House,  at  West's  Mills, 
May  14  and  15,  1842.  Jacob  Hayes,  Daniel  Luce  and  Wil- 
liam H.  Luce  were  elected  delegates  to  this  conference. 

So  rapidly  did  the  church  increase  in  numbers  that  in  1843 
the  membership  was  143,  more  than  four  times  as  large  as  the 
membership  of  1833.  Among  the  members  added  during  this 
decade  were:  William  Henry  Luce  and  wife,  in  1838,  and 
about  the  same  time  Esq.  Peter  West  and  wife,  who  had  pre- 
viously left  the  Methodist  Church.  Hiram  and  Elijah  Manter 
joined  the  church  in  1840;  also  George  W.  and  Luther  Luce 
and  Truman  A.  Merrill  the  following  year. 

Rev.  John  Perham  closed  his  labors  with  the  church  as 
pastor  on  Sunday,  Nov.  27,  1842,*  though  he  was  not  officially 
dismissed  until  May  25,  1848.  After  leaving  Industry  he  went 
to  Madison,  returning  occasionally  to  this  town  to  preach  and 
baptize  converts.  He  died  in  Beloit,  Wisconsin,  after  a  long 
and  successful  ministry,  Dec.  4,  1874,  aged  66  years. 

Rev.  Henry  Smith  succeeded  John  Perham  as  pastor  of 
the  church,  preaching  in  Industry  one-half  of  the  time  from 
the  month  of  October,  1843,  up  to  May,  1845. 

The  branch  churches  at  Elagstaff  and  Lexington,  having 
asked  for  a  dismission,  that  they  might  unite  and  organi/.e  a 
separate  church,  accordingly  on  the  16th  of  September,  1843, 
the  Industry  church  voted  to  grant  their  request.  By  this  con- 
cession the  church  lost  heavily  from  its  total  membership,  as 
both  branches  were  in  a  flourishing  condition  at  the  time  of 
their  separation. 

Hiram  Manter  was  unanimously  elected  deacon  of  the 
church  in  1844,  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  the  removal  of 
Supply  B.  Norton  from  town. 

From  July,  1847,  to  July,  1848,  Rev.  Dana  Cloyes  was  em- 
ployed as  pastor.  While  stationed  here  this  gentleman  effected 
an  important  change  in  the  social  life  of  his  parishioners,  by 
introducing  religious  reading  into  their  homes.     The  eagerness 


*  Prior  to  Elder  Perham's  leaving  town,  an  effort  was  made  to  purchase  a  house 
for  a  parsonage.  Although  the  church  received  what  seemed  to  be  a  very  advan- 
tageous offer,  the  trade  was  never  consummated. 

19 


I  50  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

with  which  this  innovation  was  received  is  almost  without 
precedent  in  the  history  of  any  church  or  town,  and  its  good 
results  can  hardly  be  estimated. 

Among  the  books,  magazines  and  papers  disposed  of  were : 
forty  sets  of  the  Christian's  Library;  eighty-two  volumes  of 
different  Bible  commentaries,  chiefly  Scott's;  one  hundred 
volumes  of  the  Missionary  Herald;  four  hundred  volumes 
were  added  to  the  Sunday-school  library,  making  a  grand  total 
of  2382  volumes.  In  addition  to  these,  seven  subscribers  to 
the  Christian  Mirror  were  also  obtained. 

Rev.  Josiah  Tucker  supplied  the  church  with  preaching  one- 
half  of  the  time  from  October,  1849,  to  October,  1851,  preach- 
ing alternately  at  West's  Mills  and  the  Centre  Meeting-House. 
Elder  Tucker  possessed  a  mild  disposition  and  a  kind  heart, 
and  it  is  believed  that  his  labors  proved  generally  acceptable  to 
the  church. 

There  was  a  union  protracted  meeting  in  1849,  during 
which,  thirty  persons  were  converted. 

By  the  withdrawal  of  the  branch  churches  at  Flagstaff  and 
Lexington,  to  form  a  separate  society,  and  by  deaths  and  re- 
movals, the  membership  of  the  society  became  so  much  reduced 
that  at  the  beginning  of  the  year  1853  there  were  but  seventy- 
one  members,  twenty  of  whom  were  non-resident. 

John  Dinsmore,  a  licentiate,  supplied  the  pulpit  for  a  few 
months  in  1852,  and  R.  H.  Fuller,  another  licentiate,  for  a  sea- 
son in  1853. 

Rev.  Eliphalet  S.  Hopkins  was  employed  by  the  society 
one-half  of  the  time  in  1853. 

In  June,  1855,  the  county  conference  was  again  held  at 
West's  Mills,  and  George  W.  Luce,  Hiram  Manter,  Fisher  Viles 
and  Charles  Hayes  were  chosen  as  delegates. 

Early  in  June,  1855,  Rev.  Jonas  Burnham,  principal  of  the 
Farmington  Academy,  received  and  accepted  an  invitation  to 
act  as  pastor  of  the  church,  and  supplied  preaching  in  town 
once  in  four  weeks,  occasionally  oftener,  until  1863.  As  a 
result  of  his  sojourn  in  town,  Elder  Burnham  pays  the  follow- 
ing tribute  to  the  people  of  Industry:      "The  people   received 


RELTGIOUS  HISTORY.  I  5  I 

me  with  great  cordiality  and  the  citizens  of  all  denominations 
favored  me  with  an  attentive  and  interested  audience.  It  gives 
me  pleasure  to  recollect  and  name  their  generous  hospitality. 
*  *  While  life  lasts  I  shall  cherish  a  grateful  remem- 
brance of  the  many  excellent  families  there.  May  rich  bless- 
ings from  above  descend  upon  them."  While  acting  as  pastor 
at  Industry  he  solemnized  sixteen  marriages  and  attended 
eighteen  funerals. 

There  were  fifty-two  members  in  1863,  of  whom  fifteen 
were  non-resident.  From  1855  to  1864  the  church  lost  heavily 
by  removals  from  town  and  the  consequent  dismissal  of  mem- 
bers to  unite  with  churches  in  other  localities.  The  quarterly 
conferences  were  held  at  infrequent  and  irregular  intervals,  and 
the  records  were  indifferently  kept,  hence  from  about  the  last 
mentioned  date  (1864)  down  to  the  present  time,  the  writer 
has  been  able  to  gain  but  very  little  definite  knowledge  in  rela- 
tion to  the  church  and  its  affairs.  As  supplementary  to  the 
labors  of  their  pastor,  Rev.  John  Furbush  was  employed  one- 
fourth  of  the  time  in    1856-7  and  1859-60. 

Rev.  Alexander  R.  Plumer,  a  minister  of  wide  and  varied 
attainments,  accepted  an  invitation  to  become  pastor  of  the 
church  in  April,  1863,  and  preached  here  one-third  of  the 
time  until  1869.  He  resided  in  town  nearly  the  whole  of  this 
time,  though  much  of  his  labor  was  in  the  neighboring  towns.* 
Rev.  John  Lawrence,  of  Wilton,  supplied  the  pulpit  at  West's 
Mills  a  part  of  the  time  in  1867-8. 

Rev.  Stephen  Titcomb,  of  Farmington,  a  minister  of  liberal 
education,  preached  at  the  Centre  Meeting-House  once  in  four 
weeks  during  the  years  1869-71.  There  were  but  forty 
members  of  the  Congregational  Church  in  1873,  fourteen  of 
whom  were  non-resident.  The  resident  members  were  now 
so  scattered  that  it  was  hardly  possible  to  maintain  preaching 
with  any  degree  of  regularity. 


*The  last  session  of  the  county  conference  holden  in  Industry,  convened  at  the 
"Industry  North  Meeting-House"  at  West's  Mills,  in  June,  1866,  and  continued  for 
two  days.  Favorable  weather  brought  out  a  full  delegation,  and  the  attendance  of 
the  laity  was  also  large.  The  session  was  pronounced  one  of  the  most  successful 
ever  held  in  the  county  in  many  respects. 


152  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

Lauriston  Reynolds,  a  licentiate  from  the  Bangor  Theologi- 
cal Seminary,  subsequently  pastor  of  Congregational  Church 
at  Auburn,  Me.,  preached  in  town  occasionally  (.luring  the  sum- 
mer of  1874  and  [875.  Also  Henry  Jones,  a  licentiate  from  the 
same  institution,  for  a  short  time  in  1875  and  187G. 

George  W.  Reynolds,  another  licentiate,  was  sent  to  Indus- 
try by  the  Maine  Missionary  Society  one-half  of  the  time  for 
three  months  in  the  summer  of  [878.  The  same  society  sent 
a  young  licentiate,  Jabez  Backus,  to  the  church  for  a  short  time 
in  1879  and  1880.  In  1880  T.  A.  Balcom,  licentiate,  was  sent  to 
the  church  one-half  of  the  time  for  two  months,  and  one-half 
of  the  time  for  three  months  in  1881.  From  that  date  until 
1 89 1  there  was  preaching  only  occasionally  by  pastors  of  this 
denomination  from  neighboring  churches.  There  were  thirty- 
two  members  in  the  church  in  1883,  ten  of  whom  were  non- 
resident. About  the  time  Shorey  Chapel  was  completed,1  its 
builder,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Price,  of  Auburndale,  Mass.,  engaged 
Rev.  Truman  A.  Merrill  as  pastor.  lie  came  to  Industry  prior 
to  the  dedication  of  the  chapel,  and  on  its  completion  was  duly 
installed  as  pastor,  a  position  which  he  is  still  filling  with  a 
good  degree  of  acceptance.  The  Industry  Congregational 
Church  has  received  pecuniary  aid  from  the  Maine  Missionary 
Society  for  fifty  different  years  since  its  organization,  yet  had  it 
not  been  fen"  the  timely  interposition  of  Mrs.  Price,  the  society 
would  probably  have  sank  into  a  state  of  lethargy  past  re- 
suscitation. 

The  following  worthy  members  have  died  since  1871,  viz.: 
Daniel  Luce,  David  Luce  and  wife,  Fisher  Yiles  and  wife,  Wil- 
liam Henry  Luce  and  wife,  George  W.  Luce  and  wife,  Peter  \V. 
Butler,  Pelatiah  Shorey,  Luther  Luce,  Hiram  Manter,  Asaph 
Boyden  and  wife,  Eliza  Hilton  and  others. 

William  M.  Bryant  is  the  present  church  clerk,  and  both  he 
and  his  wife  are  among  the  oldest  as  well  as  the  most  highly 
esteemed  members  of  the  society  in  Industry. 


'•  Sc-  ( lhapter  X  I X . 


RELIGIOUS  HISTORY.  I  53 

PR(  (TESTANT    METHODISTS. 

Early  in  the  year  1843,  Rev.  John  McLeish,  an  able  and 
eloquent  minister  of  this  denomination,  visited  that  part  of 
Industry  formerly  known  as  the  Gore.  He  held  a  series  of 
meetings  at  the  school-house  near  Capt.  Clifford  B.  Norton's, 
and  quite  a  number  were  converted.  Among  these  were  Joseph, 
Jr.,  Obed  N.  and  Thomas  C.  Collins,  who,  with  Barnabas  A. 
Collins,  William  Cornforth,  Daniel  Collins,  Jr.,  and  a  few  con- 
verts from  the  adjoining  towns  of  Farmington  and  New  Vineyard, 
united  themselves  and  formed  a  society.  Soon  after  this  their 
pastor  left  them  and  went  to  labor  in  other  fields,  and  the 
organization  became  extinct,  most  of  its  members  uniting  with 
other  denominations. 

FREE    WILL    BAPTISTS. 

Little  if  any  missionary  work  was  done  in  Industry  by 
ministers  of  this  order  prior  to  1830.  About  that  time  several 
families  of  this  faith  moved  into  town,  and  in  the  fall  of  183  I  a 
church  was  organized  consisting  of  some  eight  or  ten  members.* 
This  society  was  organized  through  the  instrumentality 
of  Rev.  Stephen  Williamson,  of  Stark,  assisted  by  Rev. 
Timothy  Johnson,  of  Farmington.  The  society  consisted  of 
Benjamin  R.  Rackliff  and  wife,  Henry  B.  Racklifff  and  wife, 
William  Harvey  and  wife,  and  Nathaniel  Ring.  Capt.  Ezekiel 
Hinkley  and  wife  were  probably  among  the  original  members 
of  this  church,  although  there  is  no  evidence  by  which  the  fact 
can  be  established.  Brice  S.  Edwards,  who  came  to  Industry 
about  the  time  this  society  was  organized,  and  who  was  its 
deacon  during  his  residence  in  town,  may  also  have  been  among 
the  original  members.  The  first  year  of  this  society's  existence 
was  a  prosperous   one,   and   at  its   close   the    membership   had 


*  The  writer  regrets  to  say  that  a  most  careful  inquiry,  and  even  advertising,  has 
failed  to  bring  to  light  the  early  records  of  this  church,  hence  the  sketch  of  this 
society  must  necessarily  be  fragmentary  and  incomplete. 

t  Mr.  Rackliff  is  also  claimed  to  have  been  the  first  subscriber  to  The  Morning 
Star  from  Industry.  This  paper  was  then,  as  it  now  is,  the  official  organ  of  the  F. 
W.  B.  denomination  in  New  England. 


154  HISTORY   OF   INDUSTRY. 

increased  to  twenty-six.  Rev.  John  Lennon,  son  of  James 
Lennon,  of- Georgetown,  Me.,  became  the  pastor  of  this  society 
as  early  as  1832.  He  subsequently  moved  into  town  and  settled 
on  Bannock  Hill,  dividing  his  time  between  farming  and  his 
ministerial  duties.  He  returned  to  Georgetown  in  1840,  where 
he  continued  to  reside  up  to  the  time  of  his  death.  Rev. 
Stephen  Williamson  manifested  much  interest  in  the  church 
and  preached  in  town  as  opportunity  offered  for  many  years. 
Among  others  who  labored  with  the  society  were  Rev.  and  Mrs. 
Roger  Ela,  of  New  Sharon,  for  a  period  beginning  soon  after 
its  organization  down  to  the  year  1861  or  thereabout.  Also 
Rev.  Mark  Merrill,  Rev.  Mr.  Badger,  and  Rev.  Samuel  S.  Paine. 
The  labors  of  the  latter,  who  preached  in  town  in  1858,  were 
blessed  with  a  deep  revival  interest,  and  on  one  occasion  five 
converts  were  baptized.  Rev.  Samuel  Savage  succeeded  Elder 
Paine  in  1859.  His  labors  were  likewise  blessed  with  a  revival 
interest. 

Rev.  John  Spinney  preached  in  town  regularly  for  two 
years  about  1854,  and  occasionally  thereafter  down  to  the 
present  time.  Other  ministers  have  undoubtedly  labored  in 
town  for  a  longer  or  shorter  time,  but  there  is  no  record  of 
them.  When  the  church  was  re-organized  in  1867,  there  was 
but  one  resident  male  member  of  the  original  society  living. 
The  church  was  re-organized  with  twenty-eight  members,  Feb- 
ruary 18,  1867,  and  George  Frank  Woodcock  elected  deacon. 
The  organization  was  effected  by  Rev.  Ira  Emery,  Jr.,  assisted 
by  Rev.  John  Spinney.  The  society  now  (1892)  numbers 
eighteen  members.  Rev.  Herbert  Tilden,  of  Farmington,  and 
others,  have  preached  for  the  society.  John  W.  Hatch,  also  of 
Farmington,  has  for  some  years  manifested  a  deep  interest  in 
the  church,  and  frequently  preaches  at  Allen's  Mills  and  in 
contiguous  localities. 

The  Advents  were  never  very  numerous  in  town,  but  minis- 
ters of  that  denomination,  such  as  I.  C.  Welcome,  of  Yarmouth, 
A.  H.  Walker,  of  Belgrade,  and  Daniel  R.  Hargraves,  of  New 
Sharon,  have  preached  in  town. 


W^/H  fe 


Engraved  by  Geo.  E.Johnson,  Boston. 
From  a  photograph  made  in  18S7  by  F.  Clarence  Philpot,  Springvale,  Mi 


REUGIOUS  INDUSTRY.  I  55 

Industry  has  sent  out  a  corps  of  ministers  of  which  any 
town  might  justly  be  proud.  The  subjoined  is  a  partial  list  of 
those  who  are  either  natives  of  the  town  or  residents  at  the  time 
of  taking  clerical  orders  : 

Allen,  Harrison,  Congregational. 

Allen,  John,  Methodist. 

Allen,  Stephen,  Methodist. 

Ambrose,  Samuel  G.,  Methodist. 

Brown,  Moses,  Protestant  Methodist. 

Edwards,  Brice  M.,  Free  Will  Baptist. 

Emery,  Ira,  Jr.,  Baptist. 

Eveleth,  Jared  F.,  Baptist. 

Hayes,  Stephen  H.,  Congregational. 

Howes,  John  M.,  Methodist. 

Johnson,  Ebenezer  S.,  Free  Will  Baptist. 

Johnson,  Zebadiah,  Free  Will  Baptist. 

Luce,  Charles,  Methodist. 

Luce,  Christopher  Sanborn,  Baptist. 

Luce,  Daniel,  3d,  Free  Will  Baptist. 

Luce,  George  Alphonso,  Methodist. 

Manter,  Zebulon,  Jr.,  Methodist. 

Merrill,  Truman  A.,  Congregational. 

Merrill,  William  A.,  Congregational. 

Robbins,  Elisha,  Baptist. 

Shorey,  Harrison  A.,  Congregational. 

Trask,  Ebenezer  G.,  Baptist. 

Woodcock,  Charles  E.,  Free  Will  Baptist. 

Young,  Levi,  Jr.,  Baptist. 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

THE  MILITIA    AND    1812    WAR. 

Military  Company  Organized.  —  Election  of  Officers.  —  Equipments  Required  l>y 
Law. —  First  Training. —  Muster  at  Farmington. —  Money  Raised  to  Buy 
Military  Stores. —  Muster  Roll  of  Capt.  Daniel  Beede's  Company. — -Cavalry 
Company  Organized. —  Powder-House  Built.  —  The  Industry  Rifie  ( Irays. 

At  the  close  of  the  year  1798  there  were  about  forty  fami- 
lies residing  on  a  tract  of  territory,  some  twenty  miles  in  length, 
now  (1892)  comprising  a  part  of  the  town  of  Industry,  the 
whole  of  Mercer,  and  a  part  of  Smithfield.  Ardent  patriots  in 
adjoining  towns,  and  ambitious  military  officers  anxious  to 
extend  their  jurisdiction,  represented  to  the  proper  authorities 
that  there  was  a  sufficient  number  of  men  on  this  territory  to 
form  a  company  of  militia.  Consequently,  early  in  the  winter 
of  1 79S— 9  orders  were  issued  to  the  inhabitants  liable  to  do 
military  duty  to  meet  for  the  election  of  officers.  At  this 
meeting  John  Thompson  was  chosen  captain  ;  Ambrose  Arnold, 
lieutenant,  and  Jabez  Norton,  Jr.,  ensign.  The  formation  of  a 
military  company  required  in  most  cases  a  pecuniary  outlay  for 
equipments  very  burdensome  to  those  liable  to  military  duty, 
even  if  they  were  able  to  purchase  them  at  all.  The  equip- 
ments required  by  law  were  "a  good  musket  or  firelock,  a 
sufficient  bayonet  and  belt,  two  spare  flints,  and  a  knapsack,  a 
pouch  with  a  box  therein  to  contain  not  less  than  twenty 
cartridges  suited  to  the  bore  of  his  musket  or  firelock,  each 
cartridge  to  contain  a  proper  quantity  of  powder  and  ball  :  or 
with  a  good  rifle,  knapsack,  shot-pouch  and  powder-horn, 
twenty  balls  suited  to  the  bore  and  a  quarter  of  a  pound  of 
powder."        The    commissioned    officers    were    required    to    be 


THE  MILITIA   AND    1812    WAR.  I  5/ 

equipped  with  "a  sword  or  hanger  and  espontoon,"  and  the 
balls  were  required  to  weigh  the  eighteenth  part  of  a  pound. 
It  is  hardly  necessary  to  say  that  the  first  company  organized 
in  Industry  fell  far  short  of  the  requirements  of  the  law. 

Captain  Thompson  appointed  William  Allen,  Jr.,  clerk  of 
the  company,  and  it  was  his  duty  to  warn  the  members  to  meet 
for  trainings,  etc.  The  duty  of  notifying  the  first  training  was 
a  task  arduous  in  the  extreme  (see  p.  S2). 

■  "  At  the  first  training,"*  says  Esq.  William  Allen,  "  Cap- 
tain Thompson  kneeled  down  on  the  snow  before  his  company 
and  made  a  fervent  prayer  commending  his  men  to  the  protec- 
tion of  Almighty  God  and  entreated  for  wisdom  and  discretion 
in  the  performance  of  his  duties." 

"At  the  first  general  muster  at  Farmington,"  continues  Mr. 
Allen,  "  one  of  the  Farmington  companies  took  offense  at  the 
posting  of  the  companies  in  the  line,  thought  the  company 
degraded  by  being  assigned  a  lower  position  than  they  were 
entitled  to,  on  a  concerted  signal,  mutinied  and  left  the  field. 

"  Capt.  Thompson,  being  extremely  ardent  and  patriotic  in 
all  his  movements,  immediately  tendered  his  services  to  the 
field  officers  to  go  with  his  Fahtajf  company  and  bring  back 
the  deserters  with  force  and  arms;  but  more  prudent  councils 
prevailed,  and  the  general  and  field  officers  after  a  long  parley 
prevailed  on  the  deserters  to  come  back  and  take  their  place." 

At  the  annual  meeting,  April  1,  1805,  the  town  voted  to 
raise  $110  to  buy  military  stores  and  to  defray  town  charges. 
What  part  of  this  sum  was  devoted  to  purchasing  military 
stores  the  records  do  not  show,  but  it  is  presumable  that  the 
larger  part  was  expended  for  the  munitions  of  war.f 

The  formal  declaration  of  war  between  the  United  States 
and  England,  June  18,  18 12,  marked  an  era  of  renewed  activity 
in  military  affairs.  The  previous  aggressive  attitude  of  the 
English    government   caused   every  town   to   keep   on   hand   an 


*  Tuesday,  May  5,  1799. 

f  Allen  says  (History  of  Industry,  p.  /S):  "The  price  of  powder  was  a  dollar 
a  pound,  at  Ilallowell,  and  the  cost  of  furnishing  powder  for  the  town  stock  and  to 
be  used  at  musters  exceeded  all  our  other  money  taxes  for  several  years." 


i  5  8  HISTi  )R  1 '  I >/■   rNDl  sir \ : 

ample  supply  of  ammunition.  A  reminder  of  those  troublous 
times  is  found  among  the  records  of  the  town  where,  at  a  meet- 
ing held  April  6,  [8l2,  it  was  "voted  to  pay  Peter  Norton 
one  dollar  and  seventeen  cents  for  running  bullets." 

Captain    Daniel    Beede's  company  of  militia   was  called  out 
in   [814,  and  was  stationed  at  Waterville  for  fourteen  days.* 

A  List  of  Officers  and  Men  in  Capt.  Daniel  Beede's  Company,  which 
served  in  the  detachment  at  Waterville,  Me.,  in  /S 14.  The  List 
also  shows  the  number  of  days  each  person  served,  and  compensa- 
tion received: 

lieu  11  \ am  . 

Days  in  Service.        Compensation. 

lames  Thompson.  11  Si 5.80 


1  2 . 1  3 

6-53 

6-53 
6-53 
6-53 

6.06 
6.06 
6.06 
4.76 


4.22 

4.60 

♦Tradition  says  Daniel  Witham,  of  Industry,  was  drafted  and  served  in  this  war, 
hut  there  ai  1  verify  tin-  assertion. 

<  apt.  Elijah  Butler,  Jr.,  of  Farmington,  commanded  a  detached  company  which 
was  ordered  to  Bath  in  the  fall..)  1814.  His  first  sergeant  was  Joseph  Viles,  from 
that  part  (if  New  Vineyard  subsequently  set  (ill  in  Industry,  as  were  also  Leonard 
Boardman,  Joseph  Collins,  Joseph  Butler,  Zebulon  Manter,  and  Isaac  Norton;  while 
Plimmington  Daggetl  and  Ebenezer  Collins  were  then  ol  Industry.  Peter  Norton, 
nl  tin-  same  place,  and  William  Butler,  of  New  Vineyard,  were  soldiers  in  other 
Farmington  companies. 


ENSIGN. 

Josiah   Blackstone. 

SERGEANTS. 

I  I 

I  >aniel    Luce. 

14 

Muses  True. 

14 

John    Russell. 

14 

Peter  W.  Willis. 

CORPORALS. 

M 

James  Eveleth. 

>4 

Robert  Thompson. 

14 

Truman  Allen. 

14 

Joseph  Ames. 

MUSICI  \NS. 

1  1 

William    fohnson. 

I  I 

|oh  Swift. 

I  2 

THE  MILITIA   AND    1812    WAR.  I  59 


4.90 
4.90 
4.90 
4.90 

3-85 
4.90 

5-r3 

5-J3 
5-T3 
5-T3 
5-T3 
4-03 
5-x3 
4.76 

5-i3 
4-03 
4-03 
5-J3 
5-'3 
5-r3 
3-85 
4-03 
4-°3 
5-T3 
3-85 
5-T3 
5-x3 
4-03 
5J3 
5-J3 
5-T3 
5-T3 
5-13 
5-i3 
5-i3 
5-*3 
5-i3 
4-03 
5-i3 
3-3° 
5l3 


PRIVATES. 

Allen,  Harrison. 

'4 

Atkinson.  James. 

'4 

Atkinson,  Thomas. 

14 

Benson,  Matthew. 

14 

Bradbury,  John  S. 

1  1 

Brooks,  Benjamin. 

14 

Church,  Silas. 

'4 

Clark,  Humphrey. 

'4 

Collins,  James. 

'4 

Collins,  Lemuel,  Jr. 

14 

Crawford.  Benjamin  T. 

'4 

Crompton,  George. 

1  1 

Davis,  Cornelius. 

14 

Davis,  James. 

1 1 

Ellis,  William. 

M 

Eveleth,  Joseph. 

1 1 

Goodridge,  Jonathan. 

1 1 

Hayes,  Jacob. 

14 

Hildreth,  David,  Jr. 

'4 

Howes,  Alvin. 

14 

Howes,  Lemuel,  Jr. 

I  T 

Johnson,  D[arius?]. 

I  I 

Johnson,  Henry. 

T  I 

Luce,  Arvin. 

M 

Luce,  Benjamin. 

I  T 

Luce,  David. 

14 

Luce,  Rowland. 

14 

Morse,  Caleb. 

I  I 

Norton,  Peter. 

14 

Norton,  Obed. 

M 

Norton,  Samuel. 

14 

Pike,  Joshua. 

14 

Remick,  Francis. 

M 

Remick,  True. 

14 

Rogers,  Thomas. 

14 

Shaw,  Daniel. 

M 

Smith,  Henry. 

14 

Stanley,  James. 

I  I 

Swift,  Benjamin. 

14 

White,  James. 

9 

Williamson,  Ebenezer. 

14 

i6o  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

In  addition  to  their  regular  pay,  twenty-three  cents  extra 
was  allowed  each  soldier  who  furnished  his  own  arms  and 
equipments.  The  town  also  voted,  at  a  special  meeting  holden 
Nov.  7,  1 8 1 4,  to  draw   thirty  dollars   from   the   treasury  to   pay 

the  expenses  of  the  militia  while  at  Waterville.  At  the  same 
meeting  it  was  also  voted  to  raise  seventy  dollars  for  the  pur- 
chase of  firearms. 

After  the  close  of  the  I  Si  2  war  the  military  trainings  and 
musters  were  events  of  great  importance  for  many  years.  This 
was  especially  true  with  the  juvenile  portion  of  the  community 
who,  as  well  as  their  elders,  seemed  determined  to  get  all  the 
fun  they  possibly  could  out  of  these  holidays.  The  annual 
muster,  surpassing  in  their  estimation,  the  Fourth  of  July  in 
importance.  One  of  the  objectionable  features  of  these  gather- 
ings was  the  prevalence  of  rum  drinking.*  Even  after  temper- 
ance reform  had  gained  a  strong  foothold  among  the  people, 
this  custom  was  still  kept  up,  and  never  practically  ceased  until 
the  militia  was  disbanded. 

Another  custom  universally  observed  was  for  the  captain  to 
furnish  his  company  a  dinner  on  training  day.  This,  with  the 
cost  of  treating,  caused  militia  offices  to  become  positions  of 
honor  rather  than  profit.  On  muster  days  it  usually  cost  the 
town  for  rations  from  twenty  to  twenty-five  dollars,  besides  a 
considerable  sum  for  powder  and  other  military  stores. 

Agreeably  to  an  act  of  the  Legislature,  authorizing  its  forma- 
tion, a  regiment  of  cavalry  was  organized  in  1823,  or  perhaps 
a  little  earlier,  as  a  portion  of  the  State  militia.  One  company 
of  this  regiment  was  composed  of  men  from  Farmington  and 
Industry.  The  uniforms  of  this  company  were  of  blue  broad- 
cloth ornamented  with  brass  buttons  and  gilt  lace;  their 
sword  belts  being  of  very  showy  red  morocco,  fastened  with 
heavy  brass  buckles,  the  officers  having  straps  of  the  same 
material  passing  over  each  shoulder,  crossing  in  front  and  be- 
hind.    The  caps  worn  were  of  the  style  common  to   the  militia 


"  Col.  James  Davis,  who  moved  to  Industry  in  1863,  related  that  on  muster  day 
he  had  sometimes  paid  out  as  much  as  $25  for  liquor  without  taking  a  single  glass 
himself. 


THE  MILITIA   AND    1812    WAR.  161 

of  those  days.  The  musicians  were  dressed  in  suits  of  red 
bombazette,  cut  in  the  same  style  as  those  of  the  officers  and 
trimmed  with  buttons  and  lace,  white  vests  and  cravats,  citizens' 
hats  with  white  plumes.  The  horses  of  both  officers  and 
privates  were  gaily  caparisoned,  and  on  muster  days  the 
company  made  a  very  fine  appearance.  Among  the  mem- 
bers from  Industry,  George  Gower  and  Daniel  Shaw,  Jr., 
rose  to  the  position  of  captain,  Benjamin  Luce  to  colonel 
of  the  regiment,  and  George  Crompton  to  major  on  the 
regimental  staff. 

An  amusing  anecdote  is  told  of  Daniel  Shaw,  Jr.,  when 
captain  of  the  company.  At  that  time  the  Washingtonian 
temperance  movement  was  being  everywhere  agitated  and  Cap- 
tain Shaw  was  a  firm  believer  in  its  abstemious  doctrines.  Just 
previous  to  the  annual  State  muster  the  company  met  at  the 
residence  of  its  commander  for  drill.  At  such  times  a  dinner 
and  a  generous  supply  of  ardent  spirits  were  usually  furnished 
by  the  commanding  officer.  On  this  occasion,  however,  the 
ladies  brought  out  bottles  of  pepper-sauce  which  they  face- 
tiously offered  the  men  as  a  substitute  for  the  customary 
bumpers  of  liquor.  The  men  regarded  this  as  a  capital  joke, 
and  each  tasted  the  pungent  condiment  before  going  in  to 
dinner. 

It  was  probably  on  this  occasion  that  the  company  was 
presented  with  a  beautiful  banner,  a  gift  from  the  ladies  of  the 
town.  The  presentation  was  made  in  behalf  of  the  donors  by 
Miss  Adeline  Shaw,  a  sister  of  the  captain. 

On  muster  day  it  was  the  practice  for  the  members  of  each 
company  to  assemble  at  the  house  of  their  captain  and  awaken 
him  at  an  early  hour,  by  the  simultaneous  discharge  of  pistols 
or  other  fire-arms.  Once  when  Capt.  Silas  Perham,  of  Farm- 
ington  commanded  the  company,  George  Cornforth,  a  mem- 
ber from  Industry,  in  discharging  his  pistol,  which  was  heavily 
loaded,  was  struck  in  the  face  by  the  weapon  with  such  force  as 
to  inflict  a  wound,  the  scar  of  which  he  carried  for  many  years. 
This  circumstance  is  related  to  give  the  reader  an  idea  of  the 
customs  in  days  agone,  and  to  show  that  even  military  musters 


1  62 


H/sroA'v  <>/■'  /xnrs/Kv. 


were  not  devoid  of  adventure  and  incident.  The  subjoined  is  a 
partial  list  of  the  members  from  the  organization  of  the  company 
down  to  tin-  time  of  its  disbanding,  who  resided  in  Industry. 
In  the  last  years  of  its  existence  the  members  from  this  town 
wei\'  excellent  horsemen  and  daring,  sturdy  fellows.  Their 
hardihood  and  bravery  won  for  them  the  name  of  "  Industry 
Bears." 


MEMBERS. 


Allen,  Benjamin  M. 
Allen.  Freeman. 
Beede,  Daniel. 
Boardman,  Andrew. 
Boardman,  ( ieorge  H. 
Butler,  David    M. 
Butler,  Josiah. 
Butler,  Thomas. 
Cornforth,  George. 
Crompton,  ( reorge. 
Crompton,  Isaac. 
Emery,  Josiah. 
Eveleth,  Benjamin  G. 
Eveleth,  James. 
Eveleth,  Joseph. 
Fassett,  Klbridge  C. 
(iower,  George. 
I  [obbs,  George. 
Luce.  Benjamin. 
Manter,  Asa  M. 
Manter,  Benjamin,  2d. 
Manter,  Elijah,  Jr. 
Manter.  1  Iiram. 


Manter,  James. 
Manter,  John   ( '. 
Manter,  John  Wells. 
Manter,  William. 
Manter,  Zebulon. 
Manter,  Zebulon,  Jr. 
Norton,  James. 
Norton,  John  Wesley. 
Norton,  Thomas   F. 
Norton,  William    1 ). 
Rogers,  Francis  S. 
Shaw,  Albert. 
Shaw,  Daniel,  Jr. 
Storer,  Philip  A. 
Thing,  Jesse. 
Trask,  Ebenezer  G. 
West,  John. 
West,  Shubael  C. 
Willis,  John. 
W'inslow,  George. 
W'inslow,  James. 
W'ithee,  Samuel. 
Withee,  Zachariah. 


The  person  who  had  in  custody  the  town's  stock  of  powder 
was  often  obliged  to  store  it  in  or  near  his  dwelling,  for  want 
of  some  more  suitable  place.  This  was  an  extremely  hazard- 
ous thing  to  do  and  but  few  could  be  found  willing  to  assume 
such  a  risk.  Consequently  the  town  voted  on  the  26th  day  of 
December,  [825,  to  build  a  powder  house  of  brick  5x5  feet, 
in  which  to  store  its  arms  and  ammunition.     The  selectmen  were 


THE  MILITIA   AND    1812    WAR. 


163 


chosen  as  a  committee  to  superintend  its  construction,  and  to 
William  Harvey  was  given  the  contract  of  building  the  house.* 
The  site  selected  was  on  a  large  granite  boulder  in  Capt.  Ezek- 
iel  Hinkley's  field,  a  short  distance  in  a  westerly  direction  from 
the  late  residence  of  Andrew  Tibbetts.  Mr.  Harvey  built  the 
house  the  next  summer,  and  for  nearly  a  score  of  years  it 
admirably  filled  the  purpose  for  which  it  was  built.  After  the 
disbanding  of  the  militia  it  stood  for  many  years  a  monument 
to  the  armigerous  history  of  the  town. 

Concerning  the  history  of  the  regular  infantry  militia,  the 
writer  has  been  unable  to  gather  but  few  facts  of  importance. 
At  the  annual  muster,  Sept.  26,  1839,  fifty-eight  men  were  on 
review  at  Farmington,  and  Capt.  Eben  G.  Trask  commanded 
the  company. f  The  following  gentlemen  have  served  as  offi- 
cers in  the  militia : 


Name. 

Allen,  Newman  T., 
Blackstone,  Josiah, 
Boardman,  Leonard, 
Collins,  Elias  B., 
Cutts,  James, 
Goodridge,  Nathan, 
Gower,  George. 
Hildreth,   David, 
Johnson,  Abraham, 
Look,  Valentine, 
Luce,  Benjamin, 
Luce,  Sanders, 


Rank. 

Captain. 


Major. 

Brig.  Gen. 

Captain. 


Colonel. 
Captain. 


Name. 

Manter,  Elijah,  Sr.. 
Norton,  Clifford    B., 
Norton,  Jabez,  Jr.. 
Remick,  True, 
Shaw,  Daniel,  Jr., 
Thompson,  John, 
Tolman,  Moses,  Sr., 
Trask,   Eben  G.. 
Willis,  Peter  W., 
Wilson,  Isaac, 
Winslow,  Carpenter. 


Rank. 

Captain. 


THE    INDUSTRY    RIFLE    GRAYS. 

The  law  requiring  enrollment  in  the  militia  the  names  of  all 
able-bodied  male  citizens,  between  the  age  of  eighteen  and 
forty-five  years,  brought  together  on  training  and  muster  days  a 
heterogeneous  crowd  ranging   from   the   beardless  youth  to  the 


*  Mr.  Harvey's  bid  on  the  job  was  the  surprising  low  ligure  of  $19.75. 
f  The    Industry  company  was   designated  as   Co.  D,    1st   Reg't,  2d    Brigade,  8th 
Division  of  the    State  Militia. 


1 64  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

gray-haired  veteran.  Each  person  thus  enrolled,  though  re- 
quired to  furnish  his  own  equipments,  was  not  restricted  in 
selecting,  but  every  one  was  permitted  to  follow  his  own  taste 
in  the  matter.  Consequently,  as  one  would  naturally  infer, 
these  equipments  varied  greatly  in  pattern  and  were  often  ol 
the  most  primitive  kind.  Their  muskets  were  of  every  con- 
ceivable pattern  from  the  old-fashioned  "  Queen's  Arm"  down 
to  the  more  modern  weapon  with  its  percussion  lock.  A  com- 
pany differing  so  widely  in  the  age  of  its  members,  and  present- 
ing such  striking  dissimilarities  in  style  of  dress  and  equipment, 
could  hardly  be  expected  to  make  an  imposing  appearance  on 
muster  days,  or  attain  distinction  for  the  precision  of  its  drill. 
For  years  these  conditions  were  a  source  of  much  dissatisfac- 
tion, especially  among  the  younger  members,  and  in  some  way 
it  had  gained  the  pseudonym  of  "String-bean  Company"  by- 
its  unpopularity.*  At  length  a  large  number  of  the  dissatisfied 
members  withdrew,  and  with  a  small  addition  to  their  number 
from  Farmington,  formed  an  independent  company  known  as 
The  Industry  Rifle  Grays.  The  company  was  mustered  in  by 
General  Enoch  C.  Belcher,  but  the  date  of  its  organization  can 
not  be  learned,  as  the  records  have  either  been  lost  or  de- 
stroyed. The  uniforms  were  of  gray  satinet  trimmed  with  red, 
and  the  rifles  of  the  most  approved  pattern  and  carried  a  bullet 
weighing  thirty-two  to  the  pound.  The  total  expense  of  equip- 
ping the  company  was  about  thirty  dollars  per  man,  and  each 
member  bore  his  proportional  part.  At  the  first  meeting  for 
election  of  officers  Newman  T.  Allen  was  chosen  captain,  and 
John  West  and  William  Webster  lieutenants.  Capt.  Allen  was 
a  thorough-going  tactician,  and  under  his  instruction  the  men 
made  rapid  progress  in  their  drill,  and  the  company  soon  took 
rank   among    the   best  disciplined    in   the   county  if  not   in   the 


*  Among  the  older  inhabitants  of  the  town  is  a  tradition  concerning  the  manner 
in  which  this  title  was  earned  :  After  each  election  of  officers  it  was  the  custom  for 
the  newly  elected  captain  to  furnish  a  dinner  for  his  command.  <  In  one  occasion  the 
principal  dish  <>n  the  table  was  string  beans,  cooked  according  to  the  usual  manner 
of  those  days.  Wherever  the  company  went  after  this,  it  was  known  among  the  ple- 
beians as  the  "String-bean  Company." 


THE  MILITIA   AND    1812    WAR. 


I65 


State.*  The  company  had  probably  been  organized  some  four 
years  when  the  militia  disbanded.  This  is  not  definitely  known, 
however,  though  one  of  the  membersf  is  confident  that  the 
company  mustered  four  times  during  its  existence  as  an  organ- 
ization. The  following  is  a  partial  list  of  its  officers  and 
members  : 

CAPTAIN. 

Newman  T.  Allen. 


John  West. 


Fifield   Luce. 
Truman   Luce. 

Wesley  Meader. 
William  Dyer. 
Francis  Meader. 
Thomas  W.  Luce. 

Alien,  Hiram. 
Allen,  Samuel    R. 
Atkinson,  Charles. 
Collins,  Joseph,  Jr. 
Collins,  Obed  N. 
Craig,  Hiram. 
Craig,  John. 
Emery,  Ira,  Jr. 
Hatch,  David. 
Hayes,  Charles. 
Higgins,  Barnabas  A. 
Higgins,  John  C. 
Holley,  Henry. 
Look,  John  J. 


LIEUTENANTS. 
SERGEANT. 

Isaac  Webster. 

PIONEERS. 

MUSICIANS. 


William  Webster. 


PRIVATES. 


Henry  Smith. 
Warren   Smith. 

William   Q.  Folsom. 
Ezekiel  Rackliff. 

Hugh  Stewart. 


Luce,  Charles. 
Luce,  True  R. 
Manter,  George. 
Meader,  Charles. 
Meader,  Shubael  L. 
Merrill,  James. 
Norton,  Clifford  B. 
Ramsdell,  Abner. 
Stevens,  Oliver. 
Titcomb,  Henry. 
Titcomb,  John. 
Wendell,  Thomas,  3d. 
West,  George. 


*  At  a  general  muster  held  in  Farmington,  Col.  William  Nye  paid  this  company 
the  high  compliment  of  being  the  best  drilled  company  in  his  command, 
t  Obed  N.  Collins. 


CHAPTER    IX. 
MILLS  AND  MANUFACTURING. 

Water  Powers  of  Industry. —  First  Grist-Mill  Erected.  —  ('apt.  Peter  West  Erects 
Mills.  —  Cornforth's  Grist-Mill. —  Elisha  Lumbert's  Crist  and  Saw-Mills. — 
Cutler's  Mills. —  Davis's  Mills. —  Gower's  Mills.  —  Capt.  John  Thompson  Erects 
Mills  near  Stark  Line.  —  West  &  Mantel's  Saw-Mill.  —  Clover-Mill. —  First 
Shingle-Machine. —  Daggett  &  Brown's  Shingle-Mill. —  William  Cornforth's 
Fulling-Mill. —  lames  Gower's  Fulling-Mill.  —  Allen  &  Co.'s  Starch- Factory. — 
Deacon  Emery's  Bark-Mill.  —  Other  Tanneries.  —  Shovel  Handles. —  Rake 
Manufacturing. —  Smith  >\  Coughlin's  Spool-Factory.  —  Oliver  Bros.'  Steam 
Box-Factory. —  Rackliff's   Chair- Factory. —  Mechanics,    Etc. 

THE  most  valuable  water  power  in  Industry  is  that  furnished 

by  Clear  Water  Pond,  in  the  western  part  of  the  town.  At 
Allen's  Mills,  situated  at  the  outlet  of  this  pond,  there  is  a  fall 
of  thirty-three  feet  in  fifty-five  rods.*  A  wheel  discharging 
eight  hundred  inches  of  water,  under  a  twelve-foot  head,  has 
been  operated  twelve  hours  per  day,  continuously,  for  many 
years.  This  by  no  means  represents  the  full  capacity  of  this 
excellent  water  power,  which  has  absolute  immunity  from 
danger  by  freshets  and  is  considered  one  of  the  most  valuable 
in  this  section  of  the  State.  The  water  power  at  West's  Mills 
is  derived  from  two  streams  of  considerable  size,  which  unite 
just  before  reaching  the  village.  In  years  past  these  streams 
have  usually  furnished  sufficient  power  for  operating  the  grist- 
mill the  whole  year,  and  the  saw-mill  during  the  spring  and 
fall.  As  the  town  became  more  thickly  settled,  large  tracts  of 
forest  were  cut  away,  admitting  the  sun's  rays  and  causing 
much    of  the   surface-water   to    pass    off   by   evaporation.      In 

*  Waltei  Wells's  "  Water  Power  of  Maine." 


MILLS  AND   MANUFACTURING.  I  6; 

consequence  of  this,  the   grist-mill   is   useless   in   times  of  pro- 
tracted drouth. 

.  One  of  the  greatest  inconveniences  to  the  earl)'  settlers  in 
Industry  was  their  remoteness  from  grist  and  saw-mills.  To 
these  hardy  pioneers,  inured  as  they  were  to  toil  and  hardships, 
the  business  of  going  to  mill  was  "  no  boy's  play."  They  must 
go  either  to  Starling's  (now  Walton's)  Mill  in  Farmington,  or 
nearly  double  that  distance  to  Wilton,  much  of  the  way  follow- 
ing a  spotted  line  through  the  dense  forest  and  over  the  roughest 
of  rough  roads,  with  their  grists  on  their  shoulders  in  summer 
and  on  handsleds  in  winter.  When  the  snow  became  very 
deep,  it  was  necessary  to  travel  on  snowshoes.  At  such  times 
"  blazed  trees"  was  the  settler's  only  guide.* 

The  first  grist-mill  built  within  the  present  limits  of  Industry 
was  on  the  north  branch  of  the  stream  which  flows  through  the 
village  of  West's  Mills.  This  mill  stood  on  land  now  (1892) 
owned  by  Eli  N.  Oliver,  and  was  erected  by  Henry  Norton  in 
the  summer  of  1794,  the  land  on  which  it  was  located  having 
been  purchased  the  previous  year.  Mr.  Norton  carried  the 
provision  for  his  workmen  and  a  portion  of  the  mill  irons  on 
his  back  from  Abner  Norton's,  on  the  Gore,  a  distance  of  nearly 
six  miles,  following  a  spotted  line  over  the  mountain. f  This 
mill,  owing  to  its  faulty  construction,  proved  entirely  useless 
and  was  a  dead  loss  to  its  owner.  There  are  still  living,  persons 
who  recollect  having  seen  portions  of  the  old  dam,  and  doubt- 
less some  traces  of  the  mill  can  still  be  found. 

Capt.  Peter  West  began  a  clearing  on  the  mill  lot,  near  the 
village  which  now  bears  his  name,  in  1796,  settled  there  two  years 
later,  and  soon  after  built  a  grist  and  saw-mill  on  a  stream  near 
his   log-cabin.}      These  mills  must  have  proved  a  great  conven- 


*  A  tree  with  a  spot  of  bark  hewed  off  so  as  to  show  the  underlying  wood  was 
known  among  the  early  settlers  as  "  blazed  tree."  These  blazes  likewise  indicated  the 
origin  and  character  of  the  road.  Three  blazes  in  a  perpendicular  line  on  the  same 
tree  indicating  a  legislative  road,  the  single  blaze  a  settlement  or  neighborhood  road. 

f  Allen's   History  of  Industry,  p.  21. 

%  Esq.  Allen  says  (History  of  Industry,  p.  31)  that  "Capt.  West's  mills  were 
built  in  179S."  He  further  states  on  page  15  that  Captain  West  built  a  house  on  his 
lot  in  1798  and  moved   into  it  the  same  season.     While  the  latter  date  is  probably 


1 68  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

iencc  to  the  early  settlers,  and  it  is  but  reasonable  to  presume 
that  they  were  well  patronized  and  the  builder  abundantly 
rewarded  for  his  enterprise.  On  the  approach  <>f  old  age,  Capt. 
West  retired  from  active  business,  and  the  mills  became  the 
property  of  his  son,  Esquire  Peter  West.  Respecting  these 
mills,  Capt.  John  Mason,  of  Fairfax  County,  Virginia,  writes: 
"When  1  arrived  in  Industry,  April  20,  1819,  Esquire  West  was 
the  first  man  to  employ  me.  At  that  time  the  saw-mill  could 
be  used,  but  it  was  a  rickety  affair.  The  grist-mill  was  in  good 
order,  the  big  wheel  outside  the  mill.*  Cornforth's  fulling- 
mill  was  in  the  basement,  his  carding-machine  in  an  upper 
room,  while  the  grist-mill  was  on  a  floor  between  the  two. 
Just  before  I  came  to  the  place  the  grist-mill  had  been  sold  to 
Rufus  Viles,  Esq.  West  taking  a  mortgage,  as  security,  on  the 
property.  It  was  rumored,  however,  that  Esq.  West  would 
have  to  take  the  mill  back.  The  next  year  (1820)  the  saw- 
mill was  sold  to  Esq.  Daniel  Shaw,  and  re-built  by  him  in  right 
good  order.  He  raised  the  frame  of  his  mill  in  August,  1S20. 
Being  a  wealthy  and  liberal  man,  the  people  flocked  from  far 
and  near,  so  sure  were  the}'  that  a  generous  supply  of  liquor 
would  be  furnished  for  the  occasion.  As  was  anticipated, 
liquor  flowTed  freely,  and  nearly  fourteen  gallons  were  required 
to  treat  this  large  assemblage. f      The   mill  was  perfect  in  all  its 


correct,  circumstances  lead  the  author  to  question  the  correctness  of  the  former.  To 
erect  a  log-cabin  on  the  very  borders  of  civilization  and  remove  his  family  and  house- 
hold goods  thither  from  Hallowell,  a  distance  of  forty  miles,  over  roads  rough  in  the 
extreme,  must  have  furnished  quite  enough  labor  to  occupy  the  attention  of  (apt. 
West  for  one  season.  In  the  absence  of  records  or  documentary  evidence  it  becomes 
extremely  difficult,  if  not  an  impossibility,  to  bridge  over  nearly  a  century  and  establish 
a  date  beyond  question.  Therefore,  Esq.  Allen's  statement  must  necessarily  be  ac- 
cepted as  an  approximation  to  accuracy. 

*The  author  is  of  the  opinion  that  the  grist-mill  was  rebuilt  by  Esq.  West  at 
the  time  William  Cornforth  established  his  fulling-mill  at  West's  Mills,  but  has  been 
unable  to  verify  his  impressions. 

fThis  was  no  guess  work  on  the  part  of  Captain  Mason.  At  that  time  he  kept 
a  small  grocery  store  and  like  every  one  engaged  in  the  business  of  those  days  sold 
ardent  spirits;  it  was  of  him  that  Esq.  Shaw  bought  the  liquor  lor  his  raising.  The 
reader  may  notice  a  discrepancy  between  the  date  of  erecting  Esq.  Shaw's  mill  and 
the  date  of  ('apt.  Mason's  engaging  in  trade.  The  matter  is  easily  explained.  Capt. 
Mason  kept  his  goods  in  Deacon  Emery's  house  for  time  prior  to  the  erection  and 
completion  of  his  store,  and  it  was  during  this  time  that  Esq.  Shaw's  mill  was  raised. 


MILLS  AND  MANUFACTURING.  1 69 

appointments,  and  the  water-wheel  one  of  the  finest  I  had  ever 
seen." 

Esquire  Peter  West  sold  and  conveyed  the  grist-mill  to 
William  Cornforth,  Feb.  27,  1835.  Immediately  after  gaining 
possession  of  this  property,  Mr.  Cornforth  tore  down  the  old 
mill  and  began  framing  a  new  structure  that  would  better 
accommodate  not  only  the  patrons  of  the  grist-mill,  but  like- 
wise his  growing  business  in  wool-carding  and  cloth-dressing. 
The  frame  was  raised  about  the  time  or  soon  after  the  ground 
settled  in  the  spring  of  1835.  It  was  an  established  custom  in 
those  days  for  some  one  to  "name  the  frame"  after  the  last 
piece  had  been  raised  and  fastened  in  its  proper  place.  On  this 
occasion  the  men  worked  with  a  will,  all  being  anxious  to  hear 
the  frame  named.  The  ridge-pole  being  in  place,  Josiah 
Emery,  standing  on  an  elevated  part  of  the  frame,  made  a  short 
speech,  and  closed  by  saying: 

"Now  from    Wests  Mills 
We'll    transfer   the   honor, 
And  henceforth  say,  from  Withee's  Corner 
Three   miles   to    ( 'ornforih's    Mills."  * 

The  frame  was  covered  with  as  little  delay  as  possible,  and 
Charles  Russell,  a  skillful  millwright  from  Norridgewock,  was 
employed  to  construct  the  gear  and  put  the  mill  in  running 
order. J  So  expeditiously  was  the  work  forwarded,  that  the 
mill  was  ready  for  business  in  October,  1835,  and  Thomas  J. 
True  was  engaged  to  come  to  Industry  and  operate  it. 

In  the  succeeding  years  this  mill  was  liberally  patronized, 
and  during  the  busiest  part  of  the  year  it  was  often  necessary 


*  This  fact  was  related  to  the  author  by  Elijah  Manter,  son  of  Capt.  Benjamin 
Manter  of  Industry.  As  a  further  proof  that  it  was  from  the  frame  of  this  mill,  and 
not,  as  some  claim,  that  of  the  saw-mill  built  by  Shaw  &  Cornforth  in  1845,  that  the 
doggerel  above  referred  to  was  promulgated,  the  author  would  say  in  1836,  the 
municipal  officers  designated  the  place  as  Cornforth's  Mills  in  their  warrant  for  the 
September  town  meeting. 

t  Elbridge  II.  Rackliff  informs  the  writer  that  "  Mr  Cornforth  purchased  a  set  of 
black  buhr-stones  for  grinding  wheat.  They  had  been  imported  from  France  by  a 
gentleman  who  being  unable  to  find  a  bolt  of  suitable  fineness  was  obliged  to  sell 
them.  Mr.  Cornforth  was  more  fortunate  in  that  respect,  however,  and  when  set  up 
in  his  mill  they  worked  to  a  charm." 


I/O  HISTORY  (>/■'  INDUSTRY. 

to  run  it  night  and  day  to  accommodate  its  patrons.  Some 
idea  of  the  extent  of  the  business  done  can  be  gained  from  the 
fact  that  in  [837  the  town  produced  6,078  bushels  of  wheat. 
Allowing  five  bushels  of  wheat  to  make  a  barrel  of  flour,  and 
that  one  barrel  per  year  was  consumed  by  each  inhabitant, 
there  would  be  a  net  surplus  of  199  3—5  barrels.  Mr.  Corn- 
forth  sold  his  mill  to  Asa  M.  Manter,  then  of  Parkman,  Oct. 
28,  1845.  -Mr.  .Manter  made  extensive  improvements  during  his 
ownership,  including  the  refitting  of  the  mill  with  buhr-stones 
in  the  summer  of  1S4S.  Jan.  2,  1850,  Mr.  Manter  sold  a  half 
interest  in  the  mill  to  his  brother,  Zebulon  Manter,  Jr.,  and 
together  they  owned  it  for  a  period  of  over  six  years.  The 
Manter  Bros,  did  not  operate  the  mill  personally  during  their 
entire  ownership,  but  employed  Deacon  Ephraim  Hcald  a  por- 
tion of  the  time.  At  length  Zebulon  re-sold  his  interest  to  Asa 
M.,  who  in  turn  sold,  on  March  24,  1856,  to  Hazen  Black,  an 
experienced  miller  from  Fairfield,  Me.  Mr.  Black  had  as  a 
partner  a  man  by  the  name  of  Bray. 

George  Cutts,  of  New  Portland,  was  the  next  owner  of  this 
mill,  purchasing  it  of  Black  and  Bra}-,  March  10,  1858.  Mr. 
Cutts  did  not  operate  the  mill  himself,  but  placed  it  in  charge 
of  his  son-in-law,  J.  Warren  Vaughan,  who  subsequently,  on  the 
28th  day  of  September,  [859,  purchased  a  half  interest  of  Mr. 
Cutts.  Two  days  prior  to  the  forenamed  date,  Samuel  R.  .Mien 
had  purchased  of  Mr.  Cutts  a  half  interest  in  the  same  property, 
and  after  a  brief  ownership,  Mr.  Vaughan  also  sold  out  to  Mr. 
Allen.  Lip  to  this  time  the  motive  power  of  the  mill  had  been 
a  twenty-foot  overshot  wheel.  While  in  the  possession  of  Mr. 
Allen,  the  main  shaft  of  the  water-wheel  broke,  and  a  turbine 
wheel,  known  as  Gould's  Patent,  was  substituted.  This  wheel, 
being  improperly  geared,  did  not  work  well  at  first;  but  in  the 
spring  of  1861  it  was  re-geared  by  Hazen  Black,  who  purchased 
the  property  in  company  with  Oliver  Stevens.  They  also  added 
a  new  run  of  stones  for  grinding  feed,  and  made  other  improve- 
ments. In  the  winter  of  [863,  George  W.  Johnson  and  Albert 
Shaw   bought  Mr.  Black's  interest  in  the  mill  and  Leonard  Viles 


MILLS  AND  MANUFACTURING.  I/I 

operated  it,  probably  as  lessee,  for  a  period  of  nearly  two  years.* 
Hiram  Oliver,  the  present  owner,  purchased  Mr.  Stevens's  inter- 
est Nov.  14,  1865,  and  some  twenty  years  later  the  other  half, 
which  had  been  severally  owned  by  Albert  Shaw,  Eli  N.  Oliver, 
and  James  M.  Norton. 

About  the  same  time  or  soon  after  Captain  West  built  his 
mills,  Elisha  Lumbert  built  a  saw-mill  on  a  small  stream  which 
flowed  through  the  western  part  of  the  New  Vineyard  Gore.  In 
the  lower  part  of  this  mill  were  the  requisite  conveniences  for 
grinding  corn  and  wheat.  The  flour  was  separated  from  the 
bran,  after  the  wheat  was  ground,  by  passing  it  through  a  bolt 
turned  by  hand  power.  These  mills  were  afterwards  owned  by 
Levi  Y.  Lumbert,  and  still  later  by  Nathan  Cutler.  They  were 
carried  away  by  a  freshet  about  1830  and  were  rebuilt  by  Mr. 
Cutler  and  sons.  After  a  few  years  the  patronage  began  to 
change  from  these  to  other  mills,  and  they  were  torn  down 
prior  to  1 850. 

Rufus  Davis,  a  son-in-law  of  Joseph  Smith,  built  a  grist  and 
saw-mill  at  the  outlet  of  Clear  Water  Pond  in  1804.!  He  be- 
gan operations  by  building  a  dam  at  the  outlet  of  the  pond 
and  another  across  the  stream,  some  rods  below  the  first,  on 
which  was  located  his  mill.  The  building  contained  a  saw-mill 
and  one  run  of  stones  for  grinding  grain.  The  motive  power 
for  this  mill  was  furnished  by  a  huge  undershot  wheel  fully 
fifteen  feet  in  diameter.  The  late  Rev.  John  Allen  once  related 
to  the  author  how  a  man  fell  into  the  flume,  when  this  mill  was 
running,  passed  with  the  water  through  the  wheel  and  came  out 
below  safe  and  sound. | 

*  It  was  during  this  period  that  a  peculiarly  sad  accident  occurred  to  a  son  of 
Joseph  B.  Viles.  When  the  old  overshot  wheel  was  replaced  by  a  Gould  wheel  the 
vertical  iron  wheel-shaft  was  extended  through  the  main  floor  to  the  loft  above.  (  In 
the  main  floor  this  shaft  had  never  been  covered.  (  hie  rainy  day  while  Mr.  Viles  was 
grinding,  his  grandson  came  into  the  mill.  In  some  way  his  wet  sleeve  was  caught 
by  the  swiftly  revolving  shaft  and  before  the  wheel  could  be  stopped  his  arm  had  been 
torn  from  his  body  and  other  injuries  of  a  serious  nature  sustained.  Physicians  were 
summoned  at  once,  but  their  skill  was  of  no  avail  and  he  died  July — ,  1864,  a 
few  hours  after  the  accident. 

t  See  Allen's  History  of  Industry,  p.  21. 

%  Mr.  Davis  likewise  built  a  dwelling-house  near  his  mill,  concerning  the  raising 
of  which,  Rev.  John   Allen   once  wrote   the   author  :     "  I    was  present   when    Rufus 


I72  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

James  Gower  came  to  Industry  from  Farmington  about 
1812  and  bought  Mr.  Davis's  property.  He  replaced  the 
wooden  dam  at  the  outlet  of  the  pond  by  a  substantial  stone 
one,  and  re-built  the  grist-mill  with  two  sets  of  stones.*  He 
sold  his  property  to  Newman  T.  Allen,  June  6,  icSj2.  Mr.  Allen 
was  a  practical  millwright,  and  after  successfully  operating  the 
mill  for  nearly  three  years,  sold  to  his  brother,  Benjamin  Allen. 
This  gentleman  operated  the  mill  for  a  long  term  of  years,  re- 
ceiving a  liberal  patronage  not  only  from  the  inhabitants  of 
Industry,  but  likewise  from  those  of  Farmington  and  New 
Sharon.  Forming  a  co-partnership  with  his  brother,  of  whom 
he  bought  the  property,  the  mill  was  thoroughly  repaired  and 
buhr-stones  added.  After  the  death  of  his  brother,  Captain 
Newman  T.  Allen,  Benjamin  continued  to  operate  the  grist-mill 
until  he  sold  out  and  moved  to  New  Sharon,  in  the  spring  of 
[864.  Amos  S.  Hinkley  eventually  became  the  owner  of  this 
mill,  and  sold  it  with  his  other  property  to  Holman  Johnson  & 
Sons,  of  Wayne.  About  1872  the  machinery  was  taken  out 
of  the  mill  and  a  portion  carried   to  Wayne. 

Capt.  John  Thompson  built  a  saw-mill  in  1805,1  which  also 

Davis  had  a  small  one-story  dwelling-house  raised  by  only  himself  and  my  father. 
When  they  raised  the  broadsides  my  brother  Harrison  and  I  (then  small  boys)  each 
held  the  foot  of  a  post  with  bars.  A  hard  lift  they  had,  but  as  both  were  strong  men, 
the  frame  went  up." 

*  Rev.  John  Allen. 

Says  Truman  A.  Allen:  "A  saw-mill  was  built  at  an  early  day  half-way  between 
the  grist-mill  and  the  road.  This  mill  was  burned,  for  I  have  seen  the  charred  timbers 
at  times  when  the  waters  of  the  mill-pond  were  drawn  off."  The  writer  is  of  the 
opinion  that  the  mill  here  referred  to  was  the  old  Rufus  Davis  saw  and  grist-mill,  and 
that  the  one  above  mentioned  was  built  to  replace  it. 

Charles  Augustus  Allen  (born  1830),  son  of  Capt.  Newman  T.  Allen,  takes 
exceptions  to  the  foregoing  statement  of  Truman  A.  Allen  (born  1810),  and  most 
emphatically  declares  it  to  be  incorrect.  Charles  A.  positively  slates  thai  there  never 
was  a  mill  between  the  grist-mill  owned  for  many  years  by  his  father  and  uncle 
(Benjamin)  and  the  road,  but  that  there  are  traces  of  an  old  dam  below  the  grist- 
mill. In  correspondence  with  Truman  A.  Allen  relative  to  this  matter,  the  writer 
prepared  a  diagram  of  the  mills  ami  dams  as  they  now  exist  and  sent  it  to  Mr.  Allen, 
requesting  him  to  locate  thereon  the  burned  mill.  This  he  did  very  readily,  and 
described  all  the  surroundings  so  clearly  and  minutely  as  to  leave  little  chance  for 
doubt  as  to  the  correctness  of  his  recollections. 

t  Allen's  History  of  Industry. 


MILLS  AND  MANUFACTURING.  173 

contained  a  run  of  stones  for  grinding  grain.  This  mill  was 
situated  near  the  Stark  line  on  a  small  stream  that  flowed 
through  lot  No.  53,  where  Captain  Thompson  had  previously 
settled.  By  flowing  a  large  meadow  lying  in  a  westerly  direc- 
tion from  the  mill,  an  abundant  supply  of  water  was  obtained. 
For  a  time  this  mill  was  fairly  patronized,  and  it  was  here  that 
much  of  the  lumber  for  the  first  meeting-house  erected  in  town 
was  sawed  ;  but  it  eventually  fell  into  disuse  and  has  long  since 
been  demolished.  A  saw-mill  was  erected  at  Allen's  Mills  on 
the  site  of  the  one  now  (1892)  owned  by  John  P.  Rackliff, 
probably  in  1820  or  earlier.  The  exact  date  of  its  erection,  as 
well  as  the  name  of  its  builders,  is  shrouded  with  a  degree  of 
uncertainty,  notwithstanding  the  most  diligent  research  of  the 
writer.  In  a  letter  to  the  author,  Truman  A.  Allen,  of  Vine- 
yard Haven,  Mass.,  says  :  "  Possibly  James  Gower  and  Rufus 
Allen  built  the  saw-mill  below  the  grist-mill.  It  was  run  a 
year  or  more  by  strangers  at  my  earliest  recollection.  After- 
wards James  Gower's  sons  ran  it  for  a  time,  and  then  Rufus 
Allen  took  it.  He  ran  it  long  enough  to  saw  off  one  of  his 
fingers,  and  later  he  fell  out  the  lower  end  of  the  mill.  His 
fall  was  somewhat  broken  by  a  pile  of  slabs,  from  which  he 
rolled  down  on  to  the  rocks  below  and  into  the  water.  This 
fall  put  an  end  to  his  sawing  logs,  for  he  received  such  a  shak- 
ing up  that  he  never  full)'  recovered  from  the  shock."*  Benja- 
min and  Newman  T.  Allen  eventually  became  sole  owners  of 
the  mill,  and  by  them  it  was  re-built  about  1837.  Later  it  was 
repaired  by  Newman  T.  Allen,  who  adjusted  the  saw  to  run  at  a 
very  high   rate  of  speed.      Capt.  Newman  T.  Allen  died   in   the 


*  Rev.  John  Allen  wrote  the  author  some  years  prior  to  his  death  that  "  The 
Aliens  made  some  improvements  on  the  grist-mill  and  built  a  dam  and  saw-mill  below 
it."  II  Elder  Allen's  statement  is  correct  it  was  probably  Rufus  Allen  and  sons  who 
built  this  mill,  instead  of  James  (lower  and  Rufus  Allen  as  suggested  by  Truman  A. 
Allen.  Rufus  Jennings,  who  purchased  a  fulling  and  carding-mill  at  Allen's  Mills  in 
1825,  once  told  the  writer  that  when  he  came  to  town  James  Gower  and  Rufus  Allen 
owned  the  saw-mill  referred  to,  and  that  to  the  best  of  his  recollections  it  was  built  by 
them.  As  Mr.  Jennings  memory  was  not  very  clear  on  this  point  the  writer  is  inclined 
to  favor  Rev.  John  Allen's  statements,  he  being  fifteen  years  the  senior  of  Truman  A. 
Allen  and  four  years  older  than  Mr.  Jennings.  Beside,  the  latter  was  not  very 
intimately  acquainted  with  the  history  of  the  village  prior  to  1825. 


1/4  HISTORY   OF   INDUSTRY. 

fall  of  1855,  and  in  settling  his  estate  his  interest  in  the  saw-mill 
fell  to  his  suns,  Samuel  R.  and  Charles  A.  Allen.  Oct.  13, 
[859,  Samuel  R.  Allen,  having  previously  purchased  his 
brother's  interest,  sold  out  to  Charles  S.  Prince,  of  Industry. 
March  15,  1859,  previous  to  Mr.  Prince's  purchasing  an  interest 
in  the  mill,  Tobias  C;  Walton  boughl  Benjamin  Allen's  share  of 
the  property.  Mr.  Prince  sold  out  to  Mr.  Walton,  after  a  part- 
nership of  nearly  four  years,  and  the  latter  became  sole  owner 
of  the  property.  A  year  later  he  sold  to  Amos  S.  Hinkley, 
who  had  recently  moved  into  town  and  was  manufacturing 
shovel-handles  in  the  old  starch-factory.  Mr.  Hinkley  kept  the 
mill  about  four  years  and  sold  to  Oliver  and  Bryce  11.  Waugh, 
of  Stark.  These  gentlemen  at  once  took  possession  of  the 
mill,  put  it  in  good  order  and  were  well  patronized  for  a  time. 
Aug.  29,  1873,  Oliver  Waugh  bought  his  son's  interest  and 
continued  the  business  for  a  period  of  over  ten  years,  lie  was 
not  successful,  however,  in  operating  the  mill  alone,  and  failed 
to  retain  the  generous  patronage  accorded  the  father  and  son/ 
In  September,  [875,  John  P.  Rackliff,  who  had  been  engaged  in 
manufacturing  wheel-hubs  in  Stark,  came  to  Industry  and  set 
up  his  machinery  in  the  old  tannery  at  Allen's  Mills.  After 
making  hubs  for  three  years,  he  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of 
packing-boxes  for  canned  sweet-corn,  disbursing  for  labor  and 
material  between  eight  and  nine  hundred  dollars  the  first  sea- 
son. He  continued  the  business  there  until  the  fall  of  [883, 
readily  selling  all  the  boxes  he  could  make.  He  purchased  of 
Oliver  Waugh  the  saw-mill  previously  mentioned,  Now  S,  [883. 
In  March  following  he  purchased  and  set  a  forty-horse-power 
Chase  turbine  wheel  to  supplement  the  power  furnished  by  a 
Gould  wheel  already  in  the  mill.  lie  also  bought  and  set  up  a 
twenty-five-foot  Richer  board-machine,  and  soon  after  built  a 
box-mill,  24x50  feet,  to  connect  with  his  saw-mill.  The  next 
year    he    added    to    his    already    finely    equipped    mill,   one   of 


*  The  senior  member  of  this  firm,  after  gaining  sole  possession  of  the  mill,  in 
addition  to  his  custom  sawing,  associated  himself  with  J.  William  Patten,  and  for 
some  years  manufactured  brush-blocks,  trunk-cleats  and  dowels,  doing  quite  a  busi- 

111  ss.  especially  in  the  manufaeture  of  the  last  named  artiele. 


.If ILLS  AND  MANUFACTURING.  1/5 

Rickcr's  self- feeding  box-board  machines  and  also  a  twenty-four- 
inch  planer.  In  the  spring  of  r 888,  he  further  added  to  the 
value  of  his  mill  by  the  introduction  of  an  improved  upright 
shingle-machine.  Mr.  Rackliff  now  has  one  of  the  best  ap- 
pointed mills  to  be  found  in  any  country  town.  He  saws  about 
200  M.  of  long  lumber  and  250  M.  of  shingles  per  year,  sawing 
annually,  in  addition  to  this,  some  fifty  cords  of  white  birch 
into  spool  stock.  In  the  fall  of  1891  he  manufactured  at  his 
shop  17,000  boxes  and  crates  for  canned  corn  and  apple.  The 
present  season  (1892)  he  has  bought  118  cords  of  poplar,  and 
anticipates  a  busy  time  the  coming  fall.  He  pays  the  farmers 
$3.50  per  cord  for  poplar  delivered  at  his  mill. 

In  the  summer  of  1 82 5  or  1826,*  Esquire  Peter  West,  hav- 
ing previously  disposed  of  the  mill  built  by  his  father,  erected 
a  saw-mill  about  seventy-five  rods  below  the  grist-mill  at  West's 
Mills.  His  brother-in-law,  Henry  Manter,  was  an  equal  partner 
with  him  in  this  enterprise.  The  mill  was  afterwards  owned  by 
numerous  individuals,  several  of  whom  purchased  only  an 
eighth  interest.  A  blacksmith  by  the  name  of  Freeman  at  one 
time  leased  the  mill  and  set  up  a  forge  and  trip-hammer  in  it, 
for  the  manufacture  of  axes.  Owing  to  financial  difficulties  he 
suspended  business  after  a  short  time  and  soon  left  town. 
Esquire  West  retained  his  interest  in  the  mill  up  to  near  the 
time  of  his  death.  In  the  process  of  time  the  mill  became  the 
property  of  Col.  Benjamin  Luce,  and  was  carried  away  by  a 
freshet    in    1847.! 

Nathaniel  M.  Davis  built  a  clover-mill  in  1837,  on  the 
farm  which  he  inherited  from  his  father,  Capt.  David  Davis. 
Col.  Joseph  Fairbanks,  having  purchased  the  mill  privilege  at 
what  is  now  Fairbanks  Mills,  in  Farmington,  erected  a  grist- 
mill in  1807,  and  soon  after  purchased  the  right  to  flow  a  small 
pond  on  the  Gore  and  constructed  a  clam  at  its  outlet.  Mr. 
Davis  purchased  this  right  of  flowage  to  furnish  the  required 
power  for  his  clover-mill.  He  greatly  improved  his  property 
by  building  a  stone  dam  in  place  of  the  wooden  one,  as  well  as 


*  Authority  of  George,  son  of  Henry  Manter. 

t  Authority  of  Mrs.  John  H.  Viles,  daughter  of  Col.  Peter  A.  West. 


I76  HISTORY  OF  rNDUSTRY. 

by  other  improvements.  Mr.  Davis  lost  his  life  in  this  mill, 
Oct.  9,  [843. *  Soon  after  this  the  mill,  with  the  farm  and 
other  property,  was  purchased  by  Alexander  Hillman.  The 
mill  was  carried  o\\   by  a  freshet  in  [850,  and  Mr.  Hillman  soon 

after  built  a  saw-mill  on  the  same  site,  which  was  for  many 
years  in  successful  operation. f 

In  the  fall  of  [844  William  Cornforth,  Albert  and  Daniel 
Shaw,  Jr. 4  having  torn  down  the  old  mill  built  by  Esq.  Daniel 
Shaw  in  [820,  began  laying  the  foundation  for  a  new  mill. 
The  stone  work  was  done  in  a  most  thorough  and  substantial 
manner,  ami  though  it  has  been  standing  more  than  forty-seven 
years,  is  to  all  appearances  as  solid  as  on  the  day  of  its  com- 
pletion. During  the  summer  of  1845  the  mill  was  built  and 
put  in  operation,  and  for  many  years  it  received  a  large  patron- 
age. Albert  Shaw  bought  his  brother's  share,  after  the  mill 
had  been  built  some  years,  and  ever  after  owned  a  half  interest 
in  the  property.  William  Cornforth,  Sr.,  sold  his  half  of  the 
mill   to    his   son    Bateman,  April    28,  1858.     The   mill   was  not 


*  \  singular  circumstance  in  relation  to  the  finding  of  Mr.  I  >avis's  body,  as  well 
as  the  facts  concerning  his  death,  seem  worthy  of  record  in  these  pages:  Below  the 
main  floor  of  the  mill  was  a  horizontal  shaft  with  a  crank  at  one  end.  fust  previous 
to  .Mr.  Davis's  death  workmen  had  repaired  the  mill,  and  in  keying  the  sweep  to  this 
crank  had  allowed  the  head  of  the  key  to  project  a  considerable  distance.  The  hear- 
ings of  the  shaft  sometimes  became  unduly  heated  when  the  mill  was  in  operation 
and  required  constant  watching.  (  >n  the  day  of  his  death  the  mill  was  in  charge  of 
an  employee  and  it  is  supposed  that  Mr.  Davis  went  below  to  examine  the  bearings 
of  the  shaft  as  was  his  custom.  In  the  darkness  he  failed  to  see  the  projecting  key- 
on  the  rapidly  moving  sweep,  and  in  reaching  for  the  journal  was  struck  on  the  lie. id 
and  killed.  That  night  as  soon  as  he  was  missed  search  was  made,  but  no  one 
seemed  to  know  in  what  direction  to  look  for  the  missing  man.  After  a  fruitless 
search,  the  neighbors  returned  home  for  a  little  rest,  agreeing  to  meet  on  the  morrow 
and  continue  the  search.  (  >n  re-assembling  in  the  morning,  <  apt.  (  lifford  1'..  Norton 
in  discussing  the  matter,  casually  remarked  that  last  night  he  had  dreamed  where  the 
body  of  Mr.  Davis  lay,  and  then  added,  "to  dispel  the  illusion  ami  prove  the  fallacy 
of  dreams,  I  am  going  to  that  spot."  Imagine  the  surprise  of  Captain  Norton  when, 
on  reaching  the  dark  basement  of  the  mill  and  putting  his  hand  where  he  had 
dreamed    the   body  lav.  to  find    his  dream  veritable  reality. 

t  This  mill,  which  had  not  been  used  for  several  years,  was  taken  down  April  25, 
1891,  and    the  timber  used    for  other  pur] 

j  Albert  and  Daniel  Shaw.  Jr.,  came  into  possession  of  a  half  interest  in  this 
property  by  a  deed   from  their  father  bearing  date  June  17,  1834. 


MILLS  AND   MANUFACTURING.  I  77 

usually    operated     by   the    owners,   but   was    leased    to    parties 
skilled  in  the  business. 

I  >avid  Hatch  bought  Cornforth's  interest  in  the  mill  March 
16,  1866.  When  the  mill  came  into  Mr.  Hatch's  possession 
extensive  repairs  were  in  progress,  and  the  next  fall  a  machine 
was  purchased  and  shingle-sawing  was  added  to  the  business  of 
the  mill.  Mr.  Hatch  continued  to  operate  the  mill  in  company 
with  Albert  Shaw  until  the  summer  of  1868,  when  he  sold  out 
to  John  E.  Johnson.  Samuel  R.  Allen  purchased  the  prop- 
erty immediately  after  it  came  into  Johnson's  possession,  and 
during  the  summer  and  fall  rebuilt  the  flume  and  undergear  of 
the  mill  in  a  most  thorough  and  substantial  manner.  He  sold, 
Aug.  5,  1870,  to  Eli  N.  Oliver,  a  practical  millwright,  who  had 
recently  moved  into  town  from  Stark.  Nov.  6,  1870,  Mr.  Oliver 
purchased  the  other  half  of  the  property  of  the  heirs  of  Albert 
Shaw,  and  thus  became  sole  owner  of  the  mill.  Two  years 
later  Thomas  M.  Oliver  bought  the  mill,  and  it  was  operated 
for  many  years  by  his  brother-in-law,  John  W.  Frederic.  The 
mill  was  purchased  in  the  fall  of  1884  by  Eugene  L.  Smith  and 
George  F.  Lovejoy,  its  present  owners.  These  gentlemen  made 
some  repairs  on  their  property  in  the  spring,  and  the  following 
autumn  they  purchased  and  set  up  one  of  Harvey  Scribner's 
upright  shingle-machines,  which  they  had  in  operation  by  the 
middle  of  November,  1885.  Having  secured  a  contract  for 
spool  stock,  Messrs.  Smith  &  Lovejoy  began  to  buy  white  birch 
for  its  manufacture  early  in  the  winter  of  1889,  and  during  the 
season  purchased  upward  of  100  cords.  Purchasing  the  neces- 
sary machinery,  they  have  continued  to  make  this  a  branch  of 
their  business  down  to  the  present  time.  They  purchased  and 
set  a  powerful  Gould  water-wheel  in  the  fall  of  1889,  and  in 
the  spring  of  1 890  they  added  to  their  mill  one  of  Ricker's 
rotary  board-machines,  having  previously  rebuilt  the  entire 
running  gear  in  a  most  thorough  and  substantial  manner.  They 
now  saw  about  100  M.  of  long  lumber  and  125  M.  shingles, 
beside  a  large  quantity  of  white  birch  and  poplar  each  season. 
Recently  they  have  done  something  in  the  line  of  sawing  staves 
and  bobbin  stock. 


I  78  HISTX  Vv'i  •    ( )/■■   TNDl TSTR  J '. 

Without  doubt  the  first  shingle-machine  brought  into  the 
town  was  set  up  in  the  saw-mill  at  Allen's  Mills  in  [843,  and 
operated  by  Capt.  Newman  T.  Allen.  Then  such  a  machine 
was  a  great  curiosity  and  its  productions  one  of  the  novelties 
of  the  day. 

In  the  summer  of  [848  John  W.  Frederic  and  Samuel  D. 
Luce  rebuilt  the  dam  of  the  saw-mill,  built  by  Esquire  West 
and  Henry  Manter  (see  />.  IJ5),  and  having  constructed  a  suit- 
able building  for  a  shingle-mill,  purchased  in  Augusta,  Me.,  a 
Johnson  Machine  which  they  immediately  set  up  in  the  building. 
This  was  the  first  shingle-machine  ever  operated  at  West's  Mills. 
After  passing  through  numerous  hands  it  at  length  became  the 
property  of  David  Merry.  The  mill  and  a  larger  part  of  the 
dam  were  carried  off  in  a  freshet  in  the  fall  of  1855.*  The  mill 
was  rebuilt  about  1858  by  David  Merry  and  John  W.  Frederic. 
John  Smith  succeeded  Mr.  Merry  as  owner  of  the  mill.  After 
operating  it  a  few  years,  the  Hume  and  a  portion  of  the  dam 
was  carried  off  by  a  freshet  in  the  fall  of  1866.  lie  then  sold 
the  machinery  to  Albert  Shaw  and  David  I  latch,  and  it  was  set 
up  in  the  saw-mill  where  it  was  successfully  operated  for  a 
number  of  years.  It  was  supplanted  by  a  greatly  improved 
machine  in  the  tall  of   1885. 

John  Brown,  2d,  and  Isaac  Daggett  purchased  a  shingle- 
machine  of  Carpenter  Winslow,  Nov.  5,  1847,  which  they  set 
up  on  a  small  stream  just  south  of  the  John  T.  Daggett  farm 
in  the  north  part  of  the  town.  In  consequence  of  the  limited 
supply  of  water,  this  mill  could  be  operated  only  during  the 
earl}-  spring  and  after  the  fall  rains.  Not  finding  the  enter- 
prise a  profitable  one,  the  machinery  was  moved  elsewhere  after 
a  few  years. 

CARDING    AND    FULLING-MILLS. 

In  the  home  of  the  early  settler   in    Industry  many  kinds  of 

work  were  done  with  which  the  housewife  of  the   present  day  is 

♦This  freshet,  which  occurred  1  >ct.  [3,  1855,  'ia('  not>  'c  was  sa'('>  'Jcen  equalled 
for  fifty  years.  The  "long  bridge "  at  West's  Mills  was  swept  away,  as  well  as  the 
shingle-mill  and  much  other  property  along  the  course  of  the  stream. 


MILLS  AND  MANUFACTURING.  I  J[) 

wholly  unacquainted.  Then  even-  farmer  kept  at  least  a  few- 
sheep  and  sowed  a  piece  of  flax,  and  from  these  sources  the 
wearing  apparel  of  the  family  was  derived.  Then  the  carding, 
spinning,  weaving,  dyeing,  cutting  and  making  were  all  done  by 
the  skillful  hand  of  the  industrious  wife  and  mother.  As  the 
people  began  to  emerge  from  the  poverty  and  want  incident  to 
every  new  settlement,  a  gradual  change  dawned  on  the  inhabi- 
tants. Vast  tracts  of  forest  had  gradually  yielded  to  the 
sturdy  strokes  of  the  settler's  axe,  and  the  land  been  converted 
into  grass-bearing  fields.  As  a  matter  of  course,  more  hay  was 
cut,  and  more  neat  stock  and  larger  flocks  of  sheep  could  be 
kept.  The  increase  in  the  amount  of  wool  now  produced  ne- 
cessitated the  introduction  of  a  carding-machine  and  the  estab- 
lishing of  a  mill  for  fulling,  dyeing  and  dressing  cloth.  James 
Gower  built  a  fulling-mill  about  I S 1 S  at  the  outlet  of  Clear 
Water  Pond,  just  below  his  grist-mill  and  nearly  opposite  where 
John  P.  Rackliff's  saw-mill  now  (1892)  stands.  The  writer 
regrets  that  he  has  been  unable  to  fix  the  date  of  its  erection 
more  definitely.  It  was  undoubtedly  operated  by  Samuel 
Gower,  a  younger  brother  of  James,  who  had  previously 
learned  the  business.  Dec.  25,  1820,  James  Gower  sold  his 
fulling-mill  to  Samuel  Pierce,  of  Malta,  now  (1892)  Windsor, 
Maine.  This  mill  either  contained  a  carding-machine  when 
Mr.  Pierce  bought  it,  or  else  one  was  set  up  soon  after  the 
property  came  into  his  possession.  The  building,  together  with 
lot  No.  84,  comprising  the  farm  now  occupied  by  D.  Collins 
Luce,  was  purchased,  Jan.  2},  1824,  by  Rufus  Jennings,  of 
P'armington,  Pierce,  who  was  a  skillful  clothier,  reserving  all  the 
machinery.  Mr.  Jennings  refitted  the  mill  with  new  machinery 
and  after  an  ownership  of  two  years  sold  the  fulling-mill  to 
Eben  Willard,  of  New  Portland,  but  reserved  the  carding- 
machine  and  the  room  it  occupied.  Mr.  Willard  resold  to 
Jennings,  Aug.  9,  1830,  who  afterwards  conducted  the  whole 
business.  He  had  a  large  patronage  and  two  sets  of  cards 
were  run  night  and  day  during  the  busiest  part  of  the  season, 
and  the  fulling-mill  was  frequently  operated  six  months  in  the 
year.      Samuel   Gower   was    a   clothier,  and   Mr.  Jennings  often 


I  So  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

employed  him  to  take  charge  of  his  fulling-mill.  Cyprian  Bis- 
be<  operated  the  mill  several  years  prior  to  1836,  and  it  may 
have   been    operated    by  John    Folsom  and    others    at    different 

periods. 

William  Cornforth,  a  clothier  by  trade,  erected  a  building", 
connected  with  Esq.  West's  grist-mill,  in  1S1S,  in  which  to  full, 
dye  and  dress  cloth.  The  necessary  motive  power  was  obtained 
from  the  water-wheel  of  the  grist-mill.  He  also  set  up  a  card- 
ing-machine,  and  wool-carding  became  an  important  branch  of 
his  business.  He  purchased  the  grist-mill  in  the  winter  of 
[835,  and  immediately  rebuilt  it  with  spacious  apartments  for 
his  carding-machine  and  dye  works.*  He  operated  his  mill 
some  nine  years  after  rebuilding,  and  then  sold  his  fulling-mill, 
June  6,  1844,  to  his  son,  George  Cornforth,  and  at  the  same 
time  leased  him  the  carding-machine  for  a  term  of  years. 
George  Cornforth  operated  the  mill  a  few  years  and  then 
abandoned  the  business,  and  the  mill  was  eventually  converted 
to  other  uses. 

Benjamin  and  Newman  T.Allen,  in  company  with  Henry 
Titcomb,  Joseph  and  Eben  Norton  of  Farmington,  built  a 
starch-factory  just  below  the  grist-mill  at  Allen's  Mills,  about 
1845.  Each  of  these  gentlemen,  excepting  Joseph  and  Eben 
Norton,  owned  one-fourth  interest  in  the  property.  About  the 
time  the  factory  was  ready  for  business  the  potato  rot  made  its 
appearance  in  Industry,  and  many  who  had  planted  potatoes 
for  the  factor)'  lost  their  entire  crop.  Joseph,  Jr.,  and  Obed 
\.  Collins,  planted  five  acres  for  Messrs.  Allen  &  Co.,  and 
barely  harvested  sound  potatoes  enough  for  seed.  Hut  not- 
withstanding this  unfavorable  turn  of  affairs,  the  Company 
subsequently  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  starch,  to  some 
extent,  for  six  or  seven  years,  sometimes  purchasing  as  many 
as  4000  bushels  of  potatoes  in  a  single  season. 


*  Mr.  Cornforth's  fulling-mill,  a  large  building,  was  carried  away  by  an  ice  freshet 
in  the  111  .nth  of  February,  [837.  During  a  warm  rain  the  ire  on  the  brook  l>roke  up 
ami  formed  an  immense  jam  on  the  Hat  just  outside  the  village,  'this  jam  broke,  and 
the  waters  swept  down  upon  the  village  with  resistless  force,  causing  great  loss  to 
mill  owners. 


•'sv^:~>  "^v/^i 


■11  lllilli lillili  ...  . . ,. IIIIUlHillllllllllllllllllLiillli.' Illllllllillllli'S. il 

DEA.  IRA    EMERY. 


Engraved  by  Geo.  E.  Johnson,  Boston. 
l-'ioiii  :i  photograph  by  Merrill  of  Farmington,  \li 


MILLS  AND  MANUFACTURING.  181 

DEACON    EMERY'S    BARK-MILL. 

At  least  one  door-stone  in  Industry  possesses  rare  historical 
interest,  and  fifty  years  hence  its  value  will  be  greatly  en- 
hanced, as  showing  the  difference  between  the  primitive  imple- 
ments of  the  early  settlers  and  the  labor-saving  machinery  of 
the  present  day. 

In  1 8 1 8  Deacon  Ira  Emery,  a  tanner  and  shoemaker  by 
trade,  came  to  Industry  and  bought  of  Esquire  Peter  West  the 
house  and  land  near  West's  Mills,  recently  occupied  by  Sidney 
Watson.  Soon  after  his  arrival  in  town  he  built  a  bark-mill,* 
where  he  tanned  leather  for  his  own  and  other's  use.  This  mill 
stood  a  short  distance  west  of  the  house,  in  a  low  run  where  an 
abundant  supply  of  water  could  be  had.  In  this  mill  were 
some  six  or  eight  vats  in  which  the  hides  were  submitted  to  the 
influence  of  the  tanning  liquid.  The  process  was  slow  and 
tedious,  requiring  from  six  to  twelve  months  to  complete  it.  In 
those  days  cold  liquor  was  invariably  used,  and  years  later, 
when  the  hot-liquor  process  was  first  introduced,  it  was  re- 
garded with  much  disfavor,  and  tanners  who  had  practiced  the 
former  process  all  their  lives  were  slow  in  adopting  what 
seemed  to  them  an  uncalled  for  innovation  upon  their  estab- 
lished method  of  tanning.  The  bark  used  was  ground,  not  in 
the  patent  mill  of  the  present  day,  which  evenly  and  rapidly 
reduces  it  to  the  required  degree  of  fineness,  but  by  the  aid  of 
a  large  circular  stone  made  fast  to  a  shaft  passing  through  its 
centre.  One  end  of  this  shaft  was  attached  to  a  post  set  in  the 
ground,  while  by  the  other  end  the  stone  was  rolled  around  and 
over  the  bark,  which  it  crushed  by  reason  of  its  great  weight. 
For  this  purpose  the  bark  was  laid  in  a  circle  in  the  rut  or 
track  of  the  heavy  crusher.  This  stone,  with  traces  of  the  old 
tan-vats,  are  the  only  mementos  left  by  Father  Time  of  the  first 
tannery  erected   in  Industry.     The  stone  now  serves  as   a   door- 


*Capt.  John  Mason,  writing  from  Fairfax  County,  Va.,  under  .late  of  Oct.  25, 
[883,  says:  "The  stone  from  which  the  bark-crusher  was  made  originally  lay  in  the 
bottom  of  Gapt.  West's  mill-pond.  It  was  hauled  out  by  Esquire  Daniel  Shaw, 
drilled  and  rounded  by  Gilman  Hilton,  and  set  up  by  Samuel  Pinkham  and  myself." 
The  planks  for  the  vats  were  purchased  of  Major  Francis  Mayhew,  of  New  Sharon, 
and  were  hauled  to  Industry  by  Samuel  Patterson,  who  then  lived  on  Bannock  Hill. 

23 


[82  HISTORY   OF   INDUSTRY. 

step  for  the  dwelling  on  the  premises.  When  converted  to  its 
present  use,  a  portion  of  it  was  broken  off  that  it  might  better 
fit  the  position  it  was  to  occupy.  Otherwise  it  is  in  as  good  a 
state  of  preservation  as  in  the  days  of  yore,  when  it  ground  the 
bark  for  tanning  a  large  portion  of  the  leather  used  in  Industry. 
By  actual  measurement  this  stone  is  five  feet  in  diameter  and 
nearly  seven  inches  thick.  Its  past  history  is  here  given,  but 
who  can  predict  its  future?  Half  a  century  hence,  when  noth- 
ing remains  of  the  structure  of  which  it  now  forms  a  part  save 
the  stones  of  its  foundation,  will  some  gray-haired  patriarch 
point  it  out  as  an  important  part  of  the  first  tannery  estab- 
lished in  town?  Or,  will  this  important  relict  be  desecrated  by 
the  hand  of  the  ruthless  destroyer,  thus  plunging  into  oblivion 
one  more  mute  chronicler  of  past  events? 

Henry  Butler  probably  erected  the  first  and  only  tannery 
ever  built  in  that  section  of  New  Vineyard  annexed  to  Industry 
in  1S44.  Mr.  Butler  settled  in  New  Vineyard  in  1795,  but  the 
date  of  erecting  his  tanner}-  can  not  be  learned.  The  tan-vats 
were  located  on  a  small  stream  flowing  through  the  farm  now 
(  1 892  )  owned  by  John  C.  Pratt,  and  traces  of  them  are  still 
discernible. 

David  H.  Harris,  from  Greene,  Me.,  settled  at  the  centre 
of  the  town,  and  constructed  several  tan-vats  near  where  the 
meeting-house  stands,  simultaneously  or  shortly  after  the  erec- 
tion of  Deacon  Emery's  tannery  at  West's  Mills.  Mr.  Harris 
was  a  tanner  and  shoemaker  by  trade,  and  died  in  1824,  after 
living  in  town  a  few  years. 

Cornelius  Davis,  who  came  from  Martha's  Vineyard  in  18 10 
and  settled  on  "  Federal  Row,"  was  also  a  shoemaker  and  tan- 
ner. He  did  something  at  tanning,  but  as  to  the  extent  of  his 
business  the  writer  has  not  been  able  to  learn  anything  definite. 

Soon  after  coming  to  Industry,  Rufus  Jennings  built  a  bark- 
mill  and  constructed  some  half-dozen  tan-vats  for  tanning  leather 
for  his  own  manufacture.*      lie  afterwards  enlarged  his  tannery 


*  Mr.  Jennings  also  owned  ami  operated  a  clover-mill  in  connection  with  his 
tannery  and  other  business,  but  nothing  is  known  as  to  tin-  amount  of  patronage  he 
received. 


MILLS  AND  MANUFACTURING.  1 83 

and  did  much  tanning  for  the  people  of  the  surrounding  country. 
This  mill  had  a  patent  cast-iron  grinder,  and  was  undoubtedly 
the  first  of  the  kind  ever  seen  in  town.  Charles  L.  Allen,*  in 
company  with  his  brothers,  Benjamin  and  Newman  T.  Allen, 
erected  a  tannery,  soon  after  Mr.  Jennings's,  which  they  operated 
simultaneously  with  his  as  a  rival  for  the  public  patronage.  It 
had  been  idle,  however,  for  some  years  prior  to  the  breaking 
out  of  the  War  of  the  Rebellion.  October  2,  i860,  Sylvanus  B. 
Philbrick,  a  tanner  by  trade,  came  to  Industry,  purchased  the 
property  and  re-established  the  business  of  tanning  in  town. 
He  continued  the  business  with  a  good  degree  of  success  until 
December  10,  1873,  when  he  sold  out  to  Deacon  Joseph  P. 
Thwing,  of  Farmington,  and  the  establishment  was  soon  after 
closed. f 

Dudley  L.  Thing  built  a  bark-mill  near  the  east  end  of  the 
"long  bridge"  at  West's  Mills,  in  1838.  He  conducted  the 
business  of  tanning  for  eight  or  ten  years,  using  the  Col.  Peter 
A.  West  store  for  a  currying  room  until  his  brother,  Jesse 
Thing,  purchased  a  stock  of  goods,  and  there  established  him- 
self in  trade. 

SHOVEL-HANDLE    MANUFACTURING. 

In  the  fall  of  1862  or  early  in  the  winter  of  1863,  Amos  S. 
Hinkley  moved  into  town  and  settled  at  Allen's  Mills,  rented 
the  starch-factory,  and  began  to  manufacture  shovel-handles. 
This  new  enterprise  greatly  favored  the  farmers  of  Industry,  as 
nearly  every  one  had  some  of  the  white  ash,  from  which  the 
handles  were  made,  growing  on  his  farm,  and  cutting  the  timber 


*  This  gentleman  did  not  remain  long  in  partnership  with  his  brothers,  but  sold 
out  to  them  after  three  or  four  years.  Messrs.  Allen  had  some  twenty  vats  in  their 
tannery,  and  devoted  their  time  principally  to  tanning  sole-leather,  which  they  shipped 
to  Boston.  Sometimes,  however,  they  tanned  upper  leather,  which  they  hired  an 
experienced  currier  to  finish.  They  eventually  bought  out,  thereby  adding  his  pat- 
ronage to  their  own. 

t  Mr.  Philbrick  was  a  native  of  Chesterville,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade  up  to 
1 85 7,  but  came  to  Industry  from  Canton,  Me.  He  did  not  become  sole  owner  of  the 
tannery  until  May  7,  1861,  when  he  purchased  the  remaining  half  of  Gen.  Nathan 
Goodridge,  guardian  of  the  minor  child  of  Capt.  Newman  T.  Allen. 


[84  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

and  working  it  into  blocks  afforded  employment  at  a  season 
when  little  else  could  be  done.  This  new  industry  opened  up 
an  avenue  whereby  hundreds  of  dollars  were  eventually  added 
to  the  income  of  the  fortunate  land-owners  in  this  town  and  its 
vicinity.  Although  this  factor}- was  supplied  with  machinery  of 
the  most  primitive  kind,  Air.  Hinkley  was  able  to  finish  iooo 
dozen  handles  per  month.  He  purchased  of  several  share- 
holders their  interest  in  the  property  in  the  fall  of  1863,  and 
afterward  of  others  in  the  following  years  until  he  became  sole 
owner  of  the  property.  He  continued  to  do  a  prosperous 
business  until  the  autumn  of  1869,  when  he  sold  to  Holman 
Johnson  &  Sons,  of  Wayne.  These  gentlemen  had  been  en- 
gaged in  the  business  for  years,  and  controlled  the  patents  on 
an  improved  lathe  and  other  important  machinery.  The  fac- 
tory was  entirely  refitted  and  furnished  with  the  latest  and  best 
machinery,  and  the  business  greatly  enlarged.*  Their  lathe, 
which  was  capable  of  performing  a  great  amount  of  work,  was 
often  run  day  and  night  in  order  to  supply  the  demand  for 
handles.  After  the  death  of  Holman  Johnson  the  business  at 
Allen's  Mills  passed  into  the  hands  of  William  H.  Johnson, 
under  whose  superintendency  it  had  previously  been.  The 
facton-  gave  employment  to  from  eight  to  fifteen  hands  the 
year  around,  and  one  year  33,000  dozen  handles  were  finished. 
Ash  at  length  became  scarce,  and  the  factory  was  taken  down 
in  the  summer  of  1883.  The  manufacture  of  the  D  handle 
was  superseded  by  that  of  a  patent  handle,  the  invention  of 
the  proprietor,  William  H.Johnson.  For  the  manufacture  of 
these  Mr.  Johnson  rebuilt  the  old  grist-mill,  in  the  summer 
of  [881,  and  fitted  it  up  with  the  necessary  machinery,  much 
ol  winch  was  of  his  own  invention.  He  made  as  many  as  three 
hundred  dozen  per  week  when  running    his  factor}-  to    its  fullest 

*  I  he   new   machinery,  which   largely   increased    the  capacity  of  tin-  factory,  was 
ed  with  much  intei  1  uriosity  by  the  citizens  of  that  locality.     The  latter 

turned   a    handle   complete   by  a   single   movement   of  the  operator's   hand   after   the 
block  had  been  placed  in  the  machine.     The  1)  part  of  the  handle  had  been  punched 
in  Mr.  I  [inkley's  factory  by  a  die-press  worked  by  hand  power.     Messrs.  Johnson  did 
this  work  with  a  machine   the  capacity  of  which   was  only  limited   by  the  dexti 
the  operator. 


MILLS  AND  MANUFACTURING.  1S5 

capacity.  Though  possessing  greater  durability  than  its  older 
rival,  and  other  important  advantages,  the  cost  of  manufacture 
was  so  large  that  it  did  not  prove  a  remunerative  enterprise  to 
its  inventor,  and  their  manufacture  was  suspended  in  [891.* 
Mr.  Johnson  was  also  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  the  1) 
handle,  at  Auburn,  Ale.,  in  company  with  Columbus  Marshall, 
of  Anson,  prior  to  leaving  industry. 

Hiram  Oliver,  who  had  for  several  years  occupied  the  Wil- 
liam Cornforth  fulling-mill  building  as  a  carpenter  shop,  began 
taking  it  down  early  in  the  summer  of  1868,  and  also  made 
preparations  for  erecting  a  larger  and  more  convenient  shop. 
By  the  following  winter  he  had  finished  the  building  and  like- 
wise constructed  the  necessary  machinery  required  for  the 
manufacture  of  rakes.  Taking  Gustavus  W.  Spinney,  of  Stark, 
into  partnership,  they  manufactured  during  the  winter  fully  one 
hundred  dozen  rakes.  Owing  to  the  great  cost  of  suitable  lum- 
ber and  the  competition  of  other  manufacturers,  the  enterprise 
did  not  prove  sufficiently  remunerative  to  warrant  its  continu- 
ance. 

Mr.  Oliver  next  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  drag-rakes, 
for  several  years,  with  more  satisfactory  returns.  After  this  he 
fitted  up  his  shop  with  machinery  for  wood-working,  and  has 
since  done  a  good   business  in  the  general  jobbing  line.f 

SMITH    AM)    COUGHLIN'S    SPOOL-FACTORY. 

Late  in  the  summer  of  1 871,  Lauriston  A.  Smith  and 
Joseph  L.  Coughlin,  two  enterprising  young  men  from  New 
Vineyard,  conceived  the  idea  of  erecting  a  factory  for  the 
manufacture  of  spools  and  staves  in  some  convenient  location 
in    the    town    of    Industry.      Having    thoroughly  explored    the 


*  Immediately  on  shutting  down  at  the  Allen's  Mills  factory,  the  machinery  was 
taken  out  and  shipped  to  Veedersburgh,  Fountain  County,  Indiana,  where  he  is  still 
engaged  in  the  business. 

fOn  first  coming  to  Industry,  Mr.  <  (liver  invented  a  washing-machine  that 
proved  a  decided  success.  Backed  by  abundant  capital  and  business  ability,  it 
might  have  become  a  paying  invention.  As  it  was,  Mr.  ( lliver  manufactured  them 
alone,  hence  they  were  only  known  to  the  people  of  a  limited  locality. 


[86  HISTORY    OF   INDUSTRY. 

timber  lands  which  would  furnish  the  desired  supply  of  ma- 
terial, and  finding  it  abundant  the  enterprise  became  a  fixed 
fact.  Philip  A.  Storer  generously  offered  these  gentlemen  a 
free  lease  of  sufficient  land  for  a  site  and  yard  for  their  pro- 
posed mill.  The  offer  was  accepted  and  the  lot  selected  near 
Mr.  Storer's  dwelling-house,  but  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
road.  The  first  stick  of  timber  for  the  frame  of  the  building 
was  cut  in  September,  and  so  expeditiously  was  the  work 
pushed  that  by  the  time  cold  weather  had  fully  set  in  the 
building  was  completed  and  ready  for  the  machinery.  The 
motive  power  was  furnished  by  a  stationary  engine  of  thirty 
horse-power.'  In  January,  1872,  the  first  stick  of  lumber 
was  sawed,  and  during  that  winter  nearly  400  cords  of  white 
birch  and  poplar  were  bought  and  sawed  into  spool  timber  and 
staves.  During  the  summer  of  1872  they  put  in  two  complete 
sets  of  spool  machinery  and  finished  their  first  spool  in  Aug- 
ust of  that  year.  For  the  year  ending  August,  1874,  Messrs. 
Smith  &  Coughlin  finished  at  their  factory,  on  an  average,  150 
gross  of  spools  per  day.  They  also  manufactured  150  thou- 
sand staves  in  addition  to  their  spool  business.  In  the  fall  of 
1874  Mr.  Smith  sold  out  to  his  partner  and  retired  from  the 
business.  After  this  Mr.  Coughlin  continued  the  business  alone 
till  near  the  close  of  the  year  1875,  when  the  factory  was  de- 
stroyed by  fire.  The  fire  was  discovered  at  about  12  o'clock 
on  the  night  of  Wednesday,  December  8th.  Owing  to  the 
highly  combustible  character  of  the  factory  and  its  contents, 
nothing  was  saved  from  the  flames.  The  cause  of  the  fire  was 
unknown,  but  is  supposed  to  have  originated  from  a  defective 
stove  in  the  finishing  room. 

THE    OLIVER    BROTHERS'    STEAM    BOX-FACTORY. 

In  December,  1871,  Eli  N.,  Hiram  and  Alexander  Oliver, 
broke  ground  for  the  foundation  of  a  steam  box-factory.  The 
site  chosen  for   the   building  was  a   few  rods  north  of  the   brick 

♦This  engine  was  regarded  as  quite  a  curiosity  among  machinists,  from  the  fact 
that  it  had  a  forty-two-inch  stroke. 


MILLS  AND   MANUFACTURING.  I  8/ 

school-house  at  West's  Mills.  Great  enthusiasm  was  manifested 
by  the  citizens,  and  many  contributed  labor  in  aid  of  the  enter- 
prise. Notwithstanding  the  inclemency  of  the  season,  the 
excavating  for  the  basement  was  vigorously  prosecuted,  and  in 
due  time  the  stone  foundation  was  completed  ready  for  the 
frame.  Previous  to  this  the  frame  had  been  sawed  at  the  saw- 
mill, and  in  an  incredibly  short  time  the  frame  was  up  and  the 
building  was  boarded.  The  structure  was  30x60  feet,  one 
story  in  height,  with  a  basement  for  engine-room,  etc.  By  the 
middle  of  March  everything  was  in  readiness  for  the  machinery. 
At  that  time  the  snow  was  very  deep  in  the  roads,  and  the 
moving  of  the  heavy  fly-wheel  and  other  parts  of  the  engine 
from  the  depot  at  Farmington  seemed  to  present  almost  insur- 
mountable difficulties.  By  skill  and  perseverance,  however,  the 
task  was  at  last  accomplished,  and  before  the  middle  of  April 
the  engine  was  in  complete  running  order.  This  engine  was  a 
portable  one  of  forty-five  horse-power.  The  fly-wheel  was 
over  eight  feet  in  diameter  and  weighed  two  tons.  The  main 
belt  contained  eleven  sides  of  heavy  sole-leather,  and  the  shaft- 
ing and  pulleys  weighed  several  tons  in  the  aggregate.  The 
factory  contained  three  saws  for  cutting  the  lumber  into  box- 
boards,  besides  a  large  circular  bolting  saw,  planer,  and  two 
full  sets  of  saws  for  cutting  the  planed  boards  into  boxes.  A 
shed  nearly  one  hundred  feet  long  was  erected  to  protect  the 
sawed  lumber  from  the  weather  while  in  the  process  of  season- 
ing. This  shed  connected  with  the  factory  by  means  of  a 
wooden  track,  over  which  the  sawed  lumber  was  conveyed  on 
hand-cars.  When  in  full  operation  the  factory  gave  employ- 
ment to  twelve  or  fourteen  hands,  and  the  largest  amount  of 
poplar  bought  in  any  one  season  was  nine  hundred  cords.  The 
factory  was  operated  by  its  builders  until  May  12,  1874,  when 
they  sold  out  to  David  M.  Norton,  who,  in  connection  with  his 
brothers,  James  M.  and  Alonzo  Norton,  continued  the  business 
until  the  factory  was  burned,  Oct.  9,  1878.  After  Joseph  L. 
Coughlin's  spool-factory  was  burned,  in  1875,  Hiram  Oliver 
bought  the  castings  of  the  spool  machinery,  and  during  the 
following  winter  rebuilt  the   lathes  and   set  them  up   in  a  room 


[88  HISTORY    (>/■'   WDUSTRY. 

in  the  basement  of  the  box-factor}'.  Here  they  were  success- 
fully operated  for  a  period  of  over  two  years.  The  destruction 
of  this  factor}-  by  fire  was  a  great  loss  to  the  community,  as 
well  as  to  tin'  owners,  for  its  existence  had  created  a  demand, 
at  remunerative  prices,  for  poplar  and  birch,  which  grew  in 
abundance  in  man}-  parts  of   the  town. 

rackliff's  chair-fact*  >ry. 

Ezekiel  Rackliff  moved  from  Stark  to  Industry  in  Novem- 
ber, [874,  and  settled  at  Allen's  Mills.  He  purchased  the  old 
grist-mill  building  and  water-privilege,  moved  his  chair  machin- 
ery from  Stark,  and  continued  the  manufacture  of  common 
wooden  or  dining-chairs.  At  the  end  of  two  years,  failing 
health  forced  him  to  abandon  work,  and  the  business  passed 
into  the  hands  of  his  sons,  William  II.  and  Caleb  A.  Rackliff, 
who  carried  it  on  for  some  years.  They  eventually  sold  out  to 
William  II.  Johnson,  of  whom  the  water-power  and  building 
had   been   purchased. 

THE  industry  lumber  company's  steam-mill. 

In  September,  [886,  a  company  of  five  gentlemen,  consist- 
ing of  Eugene  L.  Smith,  George  F.  Lovejoy,  Marshall  W. 
Smith,  John  W.  Frederic  and  Samuel  Rackliff,  formed  a  co- 
partnership for  the  purpose  of  erecting  a  steam  saw-mill  in 
Industry.  The  site  selected  was  on  the  land  of  Thomas  M. 
Oliver,  about  two  miles  and  a  half  in  a  northerly  direction 
from  tin-  village  of  West's  Mills.  The  building  erected  was 
20  x  30  feet,  with  basement  and  engine-house.  A  portable 
engine  of  twenty-five  horse-power  was  purchased,  and  on  the 
27th  day  of  (  kiober  was  safely  landed  at  its  destination,  hav- 
ing been  three  days  on  the  road  from  Farmington  depot. 
By  the  middle  of  November  the  engine  was  in  running  order, 
and  by  December  5th  the}'  had  a  shingle-machine  set  up  and 
read}'  for  business.  During  that  fall  and  the  succeeding  winter 
their  custom  sawing  amounted  to  between  800  and  900  thou- 
sand of  shingles.     They  also  bought  a  quantity  of  poplar,  which 


MILLS  AND  MANUFACTURING.  I  89 

was  manufactured  into  boxes,  beside  sawing  a  large  amount  of 
white  birch  spool-stock.  After  a  year  or  two,  Samuel  C.  Rand 
became  associated  with  the  firm  under  the  name  of  the  Industry 
Lumber  Co.,  and  in  the  succeeding  two  years  they  bought  and 
manufactured  fifteen  hundred  cords  of  poplar,  in  addition  to  a 
considerable  quantity  of  white  birch  spool-stock.  -Their  spe- 
cialty being  packing  boxes  for  scythes  and  canned  sweet  corn, 
together  with  boxes  for  dairy  salt. 

On  the  completion  of  the  coat-shop  over  Harrison  Daggett's 
store,  Franklin  Brackett  associated  himself  with  Mr.  Daggett, 
under  the  firm  name  of  Franklin  Brackett  &  Co.,  and  began  the 
manufacture  of  sale  coats.  They  started  their  first  machines 
Oct.  31,  1889,  increasing  gradually  until  by  March,  1 890,  they 
had  eleven  machines  in  operation  and  finished  200  coats  per 
week.  As  the  spring  advanced,  work  became  scarce,  and  busi- 
ness was  suspended  at  the  expiration  of  eight  months.  During 
the  time  the  shop  was  in  operation,  from  $1000  to  $1500  worth 
of  coats  were  finished. 

MECHANICS. 

The  first  blacksmith  to  come  to  Industry  was  undoubtedly 
Jonathan  Goodridge,  who  located  at  the  centre  af  the  town  on 
the  farm  now  ( 1892)  owned  by  his  grandson,  Alvarez  N.  Good- 
ridge. Soon  after  this,  Gilman  Hilton  settled  at  West's  Mills, 
and  had  a  shop  just  north  of  the  village  on  what  is  now  known 
as  the  steam-mill  lot.  Mr.  Hilton  was  a  good  workman,  but 
intemperate  in  his  habits.  His  son,  Jeremiah  Hilton,  learned 
the  father's  trade  and  also  worked  at  West's  Mills.  He  was 
a  skillful  workman  and  very  ingenious,  but  like  the  father, 
a  love  of  strong  drink  was  his  besetting  sin.  His  shop  was 
located  on  the  flat  just  west  of  the  village,  and  was  a  rude 
affair,  made  by  setting  four  posts  in  the  ground  and  nailing  the 
boards  to  them. 

John  Trafton  came  to  town  about  18 15,  and  settled  on  a  lot 
opposite  where  the  Centre  Meeting-House  now  stands.  He 
built  a  shop,  and  divided  his  time  alternately  between  black- 
smithing  and  farming.     Francis   Meader,  2d,  learned    the  trade 

24 


igo  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

of  Mr.  Trafton,  and  located  at  .Allen's  Mills,  where  he  worked 
f<  >r  many  years. 

Elder  Elias  Bryant,  a  local  Methodist  preacher,  came  to 
West's  Mills  and  worked  at  blacksmithing  in  a  shop  which  was 
afterwards  purchased  by  Thomas  Cutts  and  son,  who  came  to 
West's  Mills  in  1829.  But  no  cine  can  be  found  as  to  the  date 
of  his  settling  in  town  or  how  long  he  remained.  It  is  not  cer- 
tain that  Thomas  Cutts  and  his  son  were  the  immediate  suc- 
cessors of  Elder  Bryant,  though  there  is  nothing  to  show  to  the 
contrary  excepting  the  fact  that  they  purchased  the  shop  of 
Samuel  Patterson.  It  stood  on  the  site  of  Joseph  Eveleth's 
stable,  but  was  afterwards  moved  across  the  road,  and  was  oc- 
cupied at  a  later  date  by  Alvin  Greenleaf  as  a  cabinet  and 
carriage  shop.  The  two-story  shop  now  occupied  by  J.  Warren 
Smith  was  built  by  Janus  Cutts,  in  the  summer  of  1  S40.  Con- 
cerning his  labors  in  Industry  he  says:  "We  had  some  rivals 
in  business.  Gilman  Milton  was  a  blacksmith  and  an  old  settler 
there.  lie  worked  in  an  old  shop  nearly  opposite  the  Corn- 
forth  house*  and  next  to  the  saw-mill  lot.  Jerry  Hilton  had  a 
little  shop  at  the'  west  end  of  the  '  Long  Bridge,'  and  a  Mr.  Riggs 
worked  there  a  while.  They  did  not  trouble  me  much, — the 
I  liltons  were  very  intemperate  men.  I  attended  to  my  business 
and  always  had  something  to  do."  After  gaining  a  comfortable 
competence  at  his  trade,  James  Cutts  sold  his  shop  and  devoted 
his  time  to  farming,  wool-buying  and  stock-raising. 

Holmes  Bruce,  from  Stark,  worked  in  a  shop  owned  by 
Esquire  Peter  West,  in  [838,  and  perhaps  earlier.  His  son, 
Silas  Bruce,  was  also  a  blacksmith,  and  worked  at  his  trade  in 
Industry.  Among  others  who  worked  at  blacksmithing  in  In- 
dustry was  William  C.  Will.  He  came  to  town  near  the  close 
of  [844,  settled  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  John  A.  Seavy, 
and  worked  in  a  small  shop  on  the  premises.  After  three  or 
four  years  he  closed  his  shop  and  left  town.  Andrew  Ken- 
nedy, Jr.,  and  Simeon  P.  Keith,  worked  at  West's  Mills  prior  to 
the  War  of  the   Rebellion,  and   subsequently  for  several   years, 


♦This  house  is  now  l  1892)  occupied   by  Richard  Caswell. 


MILLS  AND   MANUFACTURING.  n;i 

John  Spinney,  who  learned  his  trade  of  Major  James  Cutts. 
John  W.  Frederic  has  likewise  worked  at  this  trade  for  many 
years  at  West's  Mills.  Near  the  close  of  the  war,  J.  War- 
ren Smith  bought  the  Major  Cutts  shop,  hired  Steven  Bennett, 
and  subsequently  Norris  Savage,  of  whom  he  gained  a  practical 
knowledge  of  the  business,  which  he  has  successfully  followed 
up  to  the  present  time.  John  Calvin  Oliver,  a  skillful  workman, 
pursued  his  trade  in  a  shop  about  half  a  mile  west  of  Withee's 
Corner,  and  received  a  generous  patronage  up  to  the  time  of 
his  death.  J.  Frank  Hutchins  worked  at  blacksmithing  at 
Allen's  Mills  for  some  years,  and  then  moved  to  Strong.  He 
was  succeeded  by  Alonzo  O.  Rackliff,  who  still  follows  the 
trade. 

In  1828  a  cooper,  by  the  name  of  Joshua  S.  Wingate,  came 
to  West's  Mills  and  worked  in  near  where  James  M.  Norton's 
stables  stand.  He  was  a  young  unmarried  man,  and  after  living 
in  town  a  few  years,  moved  away  in  1832  or  soon  after  that 
date. 

Israel  Folsom,  a  shoemaker  by  trade,  worked  in  a  shop 
which  stood  just  west  of  Charles  M.  Hilton's  grocery  store. 
In  1827  he  lived  in  a  house  which  stood  to  the  north  of  the 
present  Methodist  parsonage.  Many  other  shoemakers,  such 
as  Josiah  Emery,  Isaac  Webster,  Benjamin  Tibbetts,  Jesse  Luce, 
Daniel  Hilton,  .Samuel  D.  Luce,  Alexander  Austin  and  Charles 
Weight,  have  plied  their  trade  in  town  at  different  dates,  and 
some  contemporaneously. 

John  R.  Buker,  a  harness-maker,  from  Greene,  Andro- 
scoggin County,  Maine,  came  to  Industry  about  1820,  or  a  little 
later,  and  worked  at  his  trade  in  James  Davis's  store  at  Davis's 
Corner.  His  son  Orlando,  according  to  the  town  records,  was 
born  in  Industry,  Jan.  10,  1825,  but  he  had  left  town  prior  to 
April  1,  1832,  as  his  name  does  not  appear  on  the  tax  list  of 
that  year.      His  wife  was  a  sister  to  David   H.  Harris. 

T.  Frank  Davis  came  from  New  Portland,  in  the  fall  of 
1 87 1,  and  worked  at  harness-making  in  an  apartment  of  J.  War- 
ren Smith's  blacksmith  shop,  at  West's  Mills.  He  was  rather 
unsteady  in   his   habits,  and   remained   in  town  less  than  a  year. 


[92  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

Charles  M.  Hilton,  having  served  an  apprenticeship  at  harness- 
making  with  John  Woodward,  of  New  Portland,  and  subse- 
quently worked  at  his  trade  in  Lewiston,  began  business  for 
himself  at  West's  Mills  in  the  spring  of  1S73.  Me  first  located 
in  his  father's  shoe-shop,  at  the  west  end  of  the  "  Long  Bridge," 
where  he  remained  until  he  formed  a  co-partnership  with 
Richard  Caswell  in  the  grocery  business.  While  thus  engaged, 
his  shop  occupied  a  part  of  the  store.  On  dissolving,  Mr. 
Hilton  rented  the  Butler  house  and  moved  his  harnesses,  stock 
and  tools  there,  where  he  remained  until  the  completion  of 
his  grocery  store  in  the  fall  of  1880.  Since  then  he  has  carried 
on  both  harness-making  and  the  srocerv  business  together. 


CHAPTER    X. 

MERCHANTS. 

First  Store  in  Town. — Esq.  Peter  West. — John  West. — Johnson  &  Mitchell. — George 
Cornforth. — Capt.  Jeruel  Butler. — Charles  Butler. — Col.  Peter  A.  West. — Capt. 
Freeman  Butler. — John  Allen,  Jr. — Thing  &  Allen. —  lames  Davis. — John  Ma- 
son.— Moses  Tolman,  Jr. — Esq.  Samuel  Shaw. — Israel  Folsom. — Col.  Benjamin 
Euce. — Christopher  Goodridge. — Cyrus  X.  Hutchins. — Willis  &  Allen. — Xacha- 
riah  Withee. — John  W.  Dunn. — Supply  B.  Norton. — Rufus  Jennings. — Enoch 
Hinkley. — Amos  S.  Hinkley. — Isaac  Norton. — Warren  N.  Willis. — Boyden  & 
Manter. — Maj.  James  Cutts. — Franklin  &  Somerset  Mercantile  Association. — 
John  Willis. — Willis  &  Clayton. — John  and  Benjamin  N.  Willis. — Duley  &  Nor- 
cross. — James  M.  and  Alonzo  Norton. — James  M.  Norton  &  Co. — Asa  H. 
Patterson. — Caswell  &    Hilton. — Shaw   &    Hinkley. — Harrison  Daggett,  Etc. 

UNDOUBTEDLY  the  first  store  in  Industry  was  opened  and 
kept  by  Aaron  Daggett,  who  came  to  this  town  from  New 
Vineyard.  He  erected  his  store  on  lot  No.  16,  on  the  Lowell 
Strip,  owned  by  his  brother,  Peter  Daggett,  and  also  built  the 
house  now  (1892)  owned  and  occupied  by  George  Luce.  The 
date  of  his  entering  trade  cannot  be  learned,  but  the  period  of 
his  mercantile  operations  must  have  been  about  181 1  .*  At 
that  early  period  goods  were  very  dear  at  Hallowell  and  Boston, 
and  the  great  expense  of  transportation  added  much  to  the 
cost.  These  conditions  were  very  unfavorable  to  the  country 
trader,  especially  in  a  new  settlement  like  Industry,  where  the 
people  had  but  little  to  exchange  for  goods  aside  from  the 
products    of    their    land.      Some    bad   debts    could    hardly    be 


*The  fact  that  Mr.  Daggett  sold  his  real  estate  in  New  Vineyard  Dec.  10,  1810, 
would  seem  to  indicate  this.  The  land  sold  consisted  of  the  homestead  lot  No.  iS, 
in  2d  Range,  bought  of  his  father  and  brother  Peter,  and  lot  No.  15,  in  the  same 
range,  Jonathan  Look  being  the  purchaser. 


194  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

avoided,  and  when  all  the  circumstances  are  taken  into  con- 
sideration, it  docs  not  seem  so  very  strange  to  find  that  after  a 
few  years  Air.  Daggett  became  involved  in  debt  and  was  com- 
pelled to  clandestinely  leave  the  country.  I  lis  brother,  who 
had  been  his  surety,  was  drawn  to  the  verge  of  financial  ruin 
by  this  unsuccessful  venture. 

Esquire  Peter  West  was  the  first  merchant  at  West's  Mills. 
Soon  after  his  removal  into  his  new  two-story  house,  in  1812, 
he  purchased  a  small  stock  of  groceries  and  sold  them  out  at 
his  house.  A  few  years  later  he  built  a  large  store,  two  stories 
high,  in  which  he  traded  for  many  years.  His  son,  John  West, 
succeeded  him  in  the  store  and  conducted  the  business  for 
several  years.  He  exchanged  his  store  in  1843  w'tn  Daniel  S. 
Johnson,  for  a  house  in  Gardiner,  Me.  Mr.  Johnson,  in  com- 
pany with  Isaac  S.  Mitchell,  purchased  some  goods  in  addition 
to  those  bought  of  Mr.  West  and  traded  for  a  short  time.  He 
subsequently  sold  out  to  a  younger  brother,  Nathan  S.  John- 
son, who  likewise  traded  in  company  with  Mitchell  for  a  brief 
period.  These  last  named  gentlemen  were  at  one  time  located 
in  the  Col.  Benjamin  Luce  store.  George  Cornforth  began 
trading  in  the  West  store  Sept.  1,  1847,  and  continued  in  busi- 
ness until  1853,  when  he  closed  out  his  stock  and  went  to 
Australia  to  dig  for  gold. 

Capt.  Jeruel  Butler  built  a  store  at  Butler's  Corner  early  in 
the  present  century,  and  being  a  man  of  means,  carried  quite  a 
heavy  stock  of  goods.  He  manufactured  potash  in  connection 
with  his  other  business,  and  frequently  went  on  long  foreign 
voyages  in  command  of  merchant  vessels. 

Charles  Butler,  a  son  of  Capt.  Jeruel,  erected  a  store  in 
18 1 7  on  the  site  now  (1892)  occupied  by  Charles  M.  Hilton's 
harness  shop  and  grocery  store.  After  trading  here  some  five 
years,  he  sold  his  goods  to  his  brother-in-law,  Col.  Peter  A. 
West.  Colonel  West  continued  in  trade  up  to  near  the  time  of 
his  death,  which  occurred  Feb.  12,  1828.  Moses  Tolman,  Jr., 
took  charge  of  Col.  West's  store  and  sold  out  his  stock  of 
goods  and  settled  up  his  business.  The  store  then  passed  into 
the   hands  of  Capt.  Freeman   Butler,  who  had  previously  been 


MEN  CHANTS.  1 9  5 

in  trade  with  Albert  Dillingham  at  Farmington  Centre  Village. 
Capt.  Butler  traded  here  until  1834,  when  he  became  financially 
embarrassed,  and  his  brother,  Edward  K.  Butler,  came  to  In- 
dustry in  1835,  sold  out  his  goods  and  settled  up  the  business 
as  best  he  could. 

John  Allen,  Jr.,  then  came  to  town,  rented  the  store  and 
opened  for  trade  with  a  fine  assortment  of  dry  goods  and 
groceries.  Like  all  tradesmen  of  his  time,  Mr.  Allen  sold 
liquor.  He  traded  until  1839  with  varying  success,  but,  finding 
the  business  unremunerative,  he  left  town,  and  his  goods 
passed  into  the  hands  of  his  creditors.  He  went  from  Indus- 
try to  Presque  Isle,  in  Aroostook  County,  where  he  engaged  in 
farming  and  eventually  acquired  a  handsome  fortune. 

Jesse  Thing,  having  purchased  the  store  in  1836,  devoted  it 
to  various  uses  until  1845,  when  he  procured  a  small  stock  of 
goods  and,  in  company  with  his  father-in-law,  Elder  Datus  T. 
Allen,  began  trading.  They  added  largely  to  their  stock  in 
trade,  its  value  increasing  three-fold  from  1845  to  1849.  How 
long  Elder  Allen  was  in  company  with  Mr.  Thing  is  not  defi- 
nitely known.  It  seems  that  misfortune  followed  the  occupants 
of  this  store  with  an  unrelenting  hand.  Mr.  Thing  traded  until 
1854,  when  he  became  encumbered  with  debts  and  his  property 
passed  into  the  possession  of  his  creditors.  A  year  later  the 
store  was  destroyed  by  fire,  together  with  several  other  build- 
ings standing  near,  including  a  dwelling-house,  stable  and  a 
building   in  which  potash  was  manufactured. 

James  Davis  erected  a  store  at  Davis's  (now  Goodridge's) 
Corner,  probably  about  1818.  There  is  a  degree  of  uncertainty 
as  to  the  extent  of  his  business,  but  it  is  believed  he  did  not 
carry  a  very  extensive  stock  of  goods.  Capt.  John  Mason,  of 
Accotink,  Fairfax  County,  Va.,  writes  :  "In  182 1  there  were 
four  stores  in  Industry,  but  none  were  in  active  business.  Esq. 
West's  store  was  in  charge  of  his  nephew,  Col.  Peter  A.  West, 
and  had  very  little  custom.  James  Davis's  store  at  the  centre 
of  the  town  was  little  more  than  a  post-office,  while  Capt. 
Jeruel  Butler's  store  at  Butler's   Corner,  was  closed   entirely."* 

*  The  fourth  store  was  at  West's  Mills,  owned  and  occupied   by  Charles  Butler. 


196  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

During  that  year  Mr.  Mason  built  a  small  store  and  shoe- 
shop  a  short  distance  south  of  Deacon  Emery's  and  opposite 
the  Jonathan  Pollard  house.  lie  was  a  single  man  and  made 
his  home  in  the  family  of  Deacon  Emery.  lie  traded  here 
about  two  years,  dealing  principally  in  groceries,  boots  and 
shoes. 

Moses  Tolman,  Jr.,  came  to  West's  Mills  in  the  spring  of 
1S26,  and  erected  the  store  now  (  1892)  occupied  as  a  dwell- 
ing-house by  Joseph  Eveleth.  By  the  middle  of  July  Mr  Tol- 
man  was  established  in  business  and  continued  in  trade  until 
December,  1 827,  when  he  sold  out  to  Esq.  Samuel  Shaw,  who 
came  from  Tamworth,  X.  H.  Esquire  Shaw  engaged  Asaph 
Boyden  to  come  to  Industry  as  his  clerk,  and  to  him  was  en- 
trusted nearly  the  entire  management  of  the  business. 

Thomas  H.  Mead,  also  from  New  Hampshire,  began  trad- 
ing in  the  Shaw  store  early  in  the  year  1S30.  He  lived  first  in 
the  John  Gott  house,  more  recently  occupied  for  many  years  by 
Richard  Fassett,  and  afterwards  in  the  family  of  Jacob  G.  Rem- 
ick.  Having  a  large  sum  of  money  stolen,  he  became  dis- 
heartened, gave  up  his  business  and  left  the  place  in  the  latter 
part  of  the  year  1 833.  Israel  Folsom  was  Mr.  Mead's  succes- 
sor, and  although  the  latter  did  not  leave  town  till  1833,  as 
previously  stated,  the  town  records  show  that  Mr.  Folsom  was 
licensed  to  retail  liquors  at  his  store  June  9,  1832.  The  store 
remained  the  property  of  Esquire  Shaw  until  1836,  when  he 
sold  it  to  Col.  Benjamin  Luce.  In  November  of  that  year  Col. 
Luce  purchased  a  stock  of  goods,  re-opened  the  store  and  es- 
tablished himself  in  trade.  He  had  either  as  a  clerk  or  a  part- 
ner for  a  short  time,  John  W.  Dunn,*  who  had  previously  been 
in  trade  at  Allen's  Mills.  Colonel  Luce  continued  in  trade 
until  his  death,  which   occurred   quite  suddenly  July  14,  1842. 


♦There  must  be  an  error  in  the  date  of  Col.  Luce's  entering  trade,  which  was 
furnished  the  writer  by  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Warren  Cornforth.  John  W.Dunn  was 
chosen  constable  and  collector  of  taxes  in  Industry  April  12,  1836.  On  the  second 
day  of  May  following,  a  special  town  meeting  was  called  "to  choose  a  collector  and 
constable  in  place  of  John  W.  Dunn,  who  is  about  to  leave  town."  Consequently  it 
must  have  been  in  November,  r8jj,  that  Col.  Luce  opened  his  store. 


MERCHANTS.  1 97 

Just  previous  to  his  decease  he  bought  a  very  extensive  stock 
of  merchandise,  which  was  sold  out  by  his  brother-in-law, 
John  West  Manter,  who  had  been  appointed  administrator  of 
the  estate.  Christopher  Goodridge  came  from  Rome,  Me., 
early  in  October,  1843,  and  located  in  the  Col.  Luce  store  at 
West's  Mills.  His  brother-in-law,  David  Rockwood,  acted  as 
clerk,  and  had  entire  control  of  the  business  much  of  the  time. 
Mr.  Goodridge  remained  in  town  until  the  spring  of  1844, When 
lie  returned  to  Rome.  The  next  occupants  of  this  store,  as 
nearly  as  can  be  learned,  were  Mitchell  &  Johnson,  of  whom 
mention  has  previously  been  made.  As  to  who  succeeded  Isaac 
Mitchell  and  Nathan  S.  Johnson  there  seems  to  be  a  diversity 
of  opinion.  ( )ne,  in  particular,  whom  it  seems  ought  to  know, 
is  confident  that  it  was  Cyrus  N.  Hutchins.*  Another  is  of 
the  opinion  that  Asaph  Boyden  and  John  C.  Manter  occupied 
the  store  in  the  winter  of  1846-7,  and  that  Mr.  Boyden  finished 
off  his  shop  for  a  store  the  following  summer. \  Much  as  the 
author  regrets  his  inability  to  verify  either  of  the  above  state- 
ments, the  matter  must  remain  a  question  of  doubt.  John 
West  and  Peter  West  Manter,  two  brothers,  were  in  trade  in 
this  store  a  short  time  between  1843  and  1849,  but  the  exact 
date  can  not  be  determined.^ 

Benjamin  N.  Willis  began  trading  in  this  store  in  the  fall  of 
1849,  or  early  in  the  year  1 850.  At  the  end  of  two  years  he 
took  in  as  a  partner  E.  Norris  Allen,  son  of  Elder  Datus  T. 
Allen,  and  the  business  was  continued  for  a  year  or  more  under 
the  firm  name  of  Willis  &  Allen.  The  store  was  subsequently 
used  for  a  blacksmith  shop,  tin  shop,  post-office  and  dwelling- 
house,  until  late  in  the  year  1865,  when  it  was  again  fitted  up 
as  a  store  by  Thomas  P.  Patterson,  who  opened  with  a  well 
selected  stock  of  dry  goods  and  groceries.  Early  in  the  spring 
of  1866  he  disposed  of  his  stock  of  goods  to  R.  Oraville  Cald- 


*  Mrs.   Mary  C.   Gilmore,  relict  of   Nathan   S.   Johnson,  and  daughter  of  Peter 
West    Butler. 

f  Mrs.  John   H.  Viles,  daughter  of  Col.  Peter  A.  West. 

%  Mrs.  Warren    Cornforth,  a   niece   of   the   above-named   gentlemen,   is  of   the 
opinion  that  they  were  in  trade  in  the  winter  of  1 848-9. 

25 


[98  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

well  and  Joel  Hutchins,  who  came  to  Industry  from  Rumford, 
Maine.  The  business  was  conducted  under  the  firm  name  of 
Caldwell  &  Hutchins  for  two  years,  and  then  sold  out  to  John 
and  Benjamin  N.  Willis,  who  were  trading  in  the  store  built  by 
the  latter,  and  the  business  of  the  two  firms  merged   into  one. 

About  the  time  that  Moses  Tolman,  Jr.,  began  trading  at 
Weil's  Mills,  Zachariah  Withee  built  a  store  atWithee's  Corner, 
where  he  traded  for  man}-  years.  Me  also  bought  ashes  and 
manufactured  potash,  as  did  nearly  every  country  merchant  in 
those  days. 

John  W.  Dunn,  whom,  it  is  said,  came  from  Lewiston,* 
erected  a  two-story  building  at  Allen's  Mills,  probably  in  the 
summer  of  1833,  and  finished  the  first  floor  as  a  store.  He 
immediately  began  trading,  and  ear!}- in  1834  took  into  partner- 
ship Supply  B.  Norton,  to  whom  he  sold  a  half  interest  in  store 
and  goods.  Their  stock  in  trade  was  valued  at  six  hundred 
dollars  by  the  assessors  in  [835,  though  its  actual  value  un- 
doubtedly exceeded  that  amount.  They  kept  an  excellent 
assortment  of  dry  goods  and  groceries,  and  received  a  liberal 
patronage.  These  gentlemen  remained  in  partnership  only  a 
few  months.  Mr.  Dunn  then  sold  his  entire  interest  to  Mr. 
Norton,  who  thenceforth  conducted  the  business  alone.  He 
remained  in  trade  and  also  made  potash  until  he  sold  out  to 
Ktifus  Jennings,  April  10,  1841.  Mr.  Jennings  traded  eleven 
years  with  varying  success  and  no  little  opposition  from  those 
envious  of  his  successful  enterprises.  Such  opposition  not  be- 
ing conducive  to  a  remunerative  business,  Mr.  Jennings  was  at 
length  compelled  to  close  up  his  business  at  a  great  sacrifice. 
While  in  trade  he  was  largely  interested  in  the  manufacture  ol 
potash,  and  also  operated  a  carding-machine  and  fulling-mill  a 
portion  of  the  time.  Since  Mr.  Jennings  closed  up  his  busi- 
ness, the  store  has  been  occupied  at  infrequent  intervals  by 
different  individuals  with  a  limited  stock  of  merchandise,  but 
no  one  remained   long  in  trade. 

Early  in  [832  Enoch  Hinkley,  Jr.,  of  Freeman,  Me.,  built  a 


Authority  of  foseph  Collins,  [r.,  son  of  foseph  and  Annah  (Hatch)  Collins. 


MERCHANTS.  199 

store  at  West's  Mills,  now  (1892)  occupied  by  Harrison  Dag- 
gett as  store  and  post-office.  lie  began  trading  early  in  the 
summer  of  1832.  Ere  he  had  been  long  established  in  his 
new  store  he  was  succeeded  by  his  brother,  Amos  S.  Hinkley. 
The  career  of  the  latter  as  a  merchant  was  as  brief  as  that  of 
the  former,  and  we  next  find  Isaac  Norton  in  charge  of  the 
business.  Before  the  store  had  been  built  a  twelve-month,  it 
passed  into  the  hands  of  Cyrus  Freeman,  a  shoemaker  and 
tanner,  who  made  boots  and  shoes  in  connection  with  waiting 
upon  customers.  Freeman  becoming  embarrassed  through 
heavy  pecuniary  losses  of  his  brother,  eventually  disposed  of 
his  goods,  but  continued  to  occupy  the  store  as  a  shop  and 
dwelling-house  for  several  years.  The  writer  has  not  been 
able  to  learn  that  this  building  was  again  occupied  as  a  store 
until  1859,  when  Warren  N.  Willis  enlarged,  remodeled  and 
greatly  improved  it.  He  then  opened  the  store  with  a  fine 
stock  of  general  merchandise,  and  traded  until  May,  i860, 
when,  in  consequence  of  financial  embarrassments,  the  store 
was  abruptly  closed.  It  was  subsequently  partitioned  off  into 
a  dwelling-house,  and  occupied  for  many  years  by  Peter  W. 
Butler  and  family.  Later  it  was  occupied  by  Charles  M.  Hil- 
ton as  a  harness  shop,  and  in  the  fall  of  1889  the  building  was 
purchased   by  Harrison  Daggett. 

In  the  spring  of  1847  Asaph  Boyden  and  John  C.  Manter 
formed  a  co-partnership.  An  addition  was  built  to  Mr.  Boy- 
den's  cabinet  shop  and  the  building  finished  for  a  store.  They 
began  active  business  in  August,  1847,  and  continued  in  trade 
until  the  fall  of  1848.  Their  goods  were  purchased  in  Hal- 
lowell  and  Boston,  and  from  the  former  place  were  hauled  to 
Industry,  this  being  the  most  accessible  point  from  which  to 
receive  freight.  Major  James  Cutts  succeeded  Mr.  Boyden,  and 
the  firm  name  was  changed  to  Cutts  &  Manter.  These  gentle- 
men traded  some  five  years  and  then  closed  their  store. 

Early  in  1854  a  number  of  enterprising  gentlemen  residing 
in  the  vicinity  of  West's  Mills,  began  agitating  the  subject  of 
forming  a  stock  company  for  the  purpose  of  establishing  a 
general  merchandise  store  at    that   place.     The    Franklin    and 


200  HISTORY   ()/■'  INDUSTRY. 

Somerset  Mercantile  Association  was  organized  February  19, 
1854,  as  the  result  of  this   movement.     The  Association  drew 

up  and  adopted  a  constitution  and  enacted  a  code  of  by-laws  to 
govern  its  transactions.  The  store  previously  occupied  by 
Cutts  &  Manter  was  leased,  an  extensive  stock  of  goods  pur- 
chased, and  the  Association  opened  their  store  about  April  1, 
1854,  with  Moses  Bradbury  as  salesman  or  agent.  The  Asso- 
ciation continued  in  business  until  the  spring  of  1862,  when 
Nathan  S.  Johnson,  who  had  previously  been  salesman  for  the 
Company,  bought  out  the  entire  stock,  the  whole  business  be- 
ing formally  conveyed  to  him  May  12,  1862.  Mr.  Johnson 
proceeded  to  sell  out  the  goods  and  closed  the  store  in  about  a 
year  after  he  came  into  possession  of  the  property. 

Benjamin  N.  Willis,  in  1853,  after  closing  up  trade  in  the 
Tolman  store,  by  selling  his  goods  at  auction,  erected  a  com- 
modious structure  nearly  opposite  the  one  just  mentioned. 
Here  he  again  entered  trade,  and  later  took  in  as  a  partner  his 
brother,  Warren  N.  Willis.  He  exchanged  his  store,  goods 
and  stand  in  the  autumn  of  1855,  with  Oliver  Stevens,  for  a 
farm.  Mr.  Stevens  traded  about  four  years  and  sold  out  to 
John  Willis,  Oct.  9,  1859.  Early  in  the  summer  of  i860  Mr. 
Willis  purchased  his  brother  Warren's  stock  of  goods,  and 
subsequently  took  him  in  as  a  partner.  In  [862,  having  pur- 
chased the  old  Esquire  West  store,  he  moved  it  back  from  its 
original  site  a  sufficient  distance  to  make  room  for  the  Stevens 
store,  which  he  also  moved  across  the  street,  connecting  and 
virtually  formed  them  into  one  building.  John  Willis  and  his 
brother  continued  in  trade  until  March,  1865,  when  the  former 
sold  out  his  interest  in  the  goods  to  his  brother-in-law,  George 
W.  Clayton,  who,  in  company  with  Warren  N.  Willis,  continued 
the  business  under  the  linn  name  of  Willis  &  Clayton.  Early 
in  the  winter  of  [866  Willis  &  Clayton  closed  up  their  business 
and  left  town,  and  the  store  was  unoccupied  for  a  short  time. 
Soon  after  this  John  and  Benjamin  N.  Willis  remodeled  the 
interior,  made  some  needed  repairs  and  re-opened  the  store- 
near  the  middle  of  April,  [866,  with  a  large  and  varied  stock  of 
merchandise.      These  gentlemen  remained   in  trade  a  little  more 


MERCHANTS.  201 

than  two  years,  in  the  meantime  absorbing  the  business  oi 
Caldwell  &  Hutchins  as  previously  stated.  May  8,  1868,  John 
and  Benjamin  N.  Willis  sold  store  and  goods  to  Sampson 
Duley  and  William  W.  Norcross,  who  came  from  Stark.  The 
firm  of  Duley  &  Norcross  had  a  large  run  of  custom  and 
was  generally  liked.  Mr.  Norcross  retired  from  the  firm  in  the 
fall  of  1868,  after  which  the  senior  member  continued  the  busi- 
ness alone  until  September,  1871,  when  he  sold  out  his  entire 
property,  consisting  of  store,  goods,  house  and  land,  to  James 
M.  Norton.  Mr.  Norton  immediately  took  into  partnership  his 
brother,  Alonzo  Norton,  and  together  they  conducted  the  busi- 
ness for  a  period  of  over  twelve  years.  The  firm  also  engaged 
largely  in  lumbering  for  several  winters.  January  14,  1884,  J. 
M.  &  A.  Norton  dissolved  partnership,  and  Alonzo  withdrew 
from  the  firm.  James  M.  Norton,  who  retained  the  business, 
then  took  in  as  a  partner  his  nephew,  Harrison  Daggett,  who 
had  previously  served  him  as  clerk,  and  the  firm  was  known 
as  J.  M.  Norton  &  Co.  Mr.  Daggett  was  very  popular  with  the 
patrons  of  the  store,  and  while  a  member  of  the  firm  had  nearly 
the  entire  charge  of  the  business.  Owing  to  impaired  health  he 
withdrew  from  the  firm,  and  the  co-partnership  was  dissolved 
April  23,  1888,  greatly  to  the  regret  of  his  many  friends. 
Since  the  retirement  of  Mr.  Daggett,  James  M.  Norton  has 
given  his  personal  and  undivided  attention  to  the  business,  re- 
ceiving a  good  share  of  the  public  patronage.  Late  in  the  fall 
of  1874,  Asa  H.  Patterson,  who  then  owned  the  William  Corn- 
forth  farm  at  West's  Mills,  moved  a  building  to  the  south  end 
of  the  bridge  which  spans  the  mill  pond  and  finished  and  fitted 
it  up  as  a  store.  He  purchased  a  good  assortment  of  dry 
goods  and  groceries  and  had  been  in  trade  nearly  two  years, 
when,  on  the  5th  day  of  August,  1876,  he  sold  his  property  to 
Richard  Caswell,  reserving  his  stock  of  merchandise  and  the 
use  of  his  store  for  one  year.  Mr.  Patterson  sold  out  the 
larger  part  of  his  goods  and  retired  from  trade  on  the  expira- 
tion of  the  lease  of  the  store. 

On  the  13th  of  August,  1877,  Charles  M.  Hilton  moved  his 
harness  business   into   this  store,  and  in  company  with  Richard 


202  HISTORY   OF   INDUSTRY. 

Caswell  purchased  a  small  stock  of  groceries.  The)-  continued 
in  trade  until  the  fall  of  1879,  when  the  co-partnership  was 
dissolved  and  Mr.  Hilton  retired  from  the  business.  For  nearly 
ten  years  thereafter  Mr.  Caswell  continued  trading  in   groceries 

to  a  limited  extent  and  then  closed  his  store.  Soon  after  this 
Harrison  Daggett  leased  the  building,  purchased  a  line  of 
groceries,  and  on  the  7th  of  March,  1889,  re-opened  the  store 
to  the  public.  Mr.  Daggett  occupied  it  about  eight  months 
and  again  it  was  closed.  The  next  and  last  occupant  was 
Henry  Oliver,  who  traded  there  about  a  year  and  moved  to 
Madison  Bridge  in  the  summer  of  1891. 

Early  in  the  month  of  August,  1880,  Charles  M.  Hilton 
laid  the  foundation  for  a  harness  shop  and  grocery  store  on  the 
site  of  the  old  Thing  store,  burned  in  the  spring  of  1855. 
Work  was  forwarded  expeditiously,  and  by  December  the 
structure  was  ready  for  occupancy.  A  well-selected  stock  of 
groceries  was  purchased,  and  by  the  last  of  December  Mr. 
Hilton  was  well  established  in  his  new  quarters.  Up  to  the 
present  time  (  1892)  the  capacity  of  his  store  has  been  enlarged 
by  two  separate  additions. 

Adeline  Shaw  and  Eunice  Hinkley  opened  a  millinery  and 
fancy  goods  store  in  October,  1842,  in  a  portion  of  the  John 
West  house,  now  (1892)  occupied  by  James  M.  Norton,  but 
for  want  of  sufficient  patronage  they  closed  up  their  business 
after  a  few  months. 

John  H.  and  Alonzo  Goodwin,  sons  of  Reuel  Goodwin, 
of  Industry,  opened  a  shoe  store  at  West's  Mills,  in  1855, 
locating  in  the  old  Esq.  West  store.  They  continued  in  busi- 
ness some  three  years,  with  varying  success,  and  then  engaged 
in  other  pursuits. 

In  the  fall  of  1889,  Harrison  Daggett  purchased  the  store 
built  by  Enoch  Hinkley,  more  recently  known  as  the  Peter  W. 
Butler  stand,  employed  Rev.  John  R.  Masterman  and  Rufus 
Jennings  to  raise  the  roof  and  finish  the  building  inside  and 
out.  The  work  was  so  expeditiously  pushed  that  inside  of  six 
weeks  the  low  ordinary  looking  one-story  building  was  trans- 
formed into  a  comely  two-story  edifice.      The  ground  floor  being 


MERCHANTS.  203 

a  neat  pleasant  store,  the  second  floor  a  large  well-lighted 
room  to  be  used  as  a  shop  for  the  manufacture  of  men's  coats. 
Nov.  2,  1889,  Mr.  Daggett  moved  his  goods  from  the  Caswell 
store  and  established  himself  in  this  store,  where  he  still  re- 
mains, receiving  a  full  share  of  the  public  patronage. 

At  Allen's  Mills,  Herbert  B.  Luce  has  kept,  for  some  years, 
a  small  stock  of  groceries.  In  the  summer  of  1891  Mr.  Luce 
finished  a  building,  which  he  purchased,  into  a  convenient  store, 
and  now  he  carries  a  well-selected  stock  of  groceries  and  pro- 
visions. 

Llbridge  II.  Rackliff  also  carries  a  small  stock  of  groceries, 
etc.,  in  connection  with  a  full  line  of  tinware  and  Yankee  notions. 

A  few  others,  whose  names  are  not  mentioned  in  the  forego- 
ing chapter,  have  probably  traded  in  Industry  to  some  extent, 
such  as  Pelatiah  Shorey,  David  M.  Luce,  John  E.  Johnson, 
Joseph  Eveleth,  Oscar  O.  Allen,  etc.,  etc. 


CHAPTER    XI. 

EVENTS  FROM   1810  TO  1830. 

Condition  of  the  Settlers. —  Expense  of  Transacting  the  Town  Business. —  Pounds 
and  Pound-Keepers. — Attempts  to  Establish  a  New  County  to  Include  Industry. — 
Gower's  (now  Allen's)  Mills  Becomes  a  Part  of  Industry. — "The  Cold  Fever" 
Epidemic. — The  Thompson  Burial  Ground. — New  Vineyard  Becomes  a  Part  of 
Industry. — Great  dale  of  1815. — Question :"  Shall  the  District  of  Maine  l'.e- 
come  an  Independent  State?"  Agitated. — Vote  for  Maine's  First  Governor. — 
Population  Increases. — "  Blind  Fogg." — First  Sunday-School.  —  Road  Troubles. — 
First  Liquor  License  Issued. — The  Residents  of  New  Vineyard  Gore  Pass  the 
Ordinance  of  Secession  and  Ask  to  he  Made  Citizens  of  Strong. — The  Town 
Receives  Additions  from  Stark  and  Anson. — Subject  of  Building  a  Town-House 
Discussed. — Great  Drouth  and  lire  of  1825. —  First  Meeting-House  in  Town. — 
Meeting-House  Erected  at  the  Centre  of  the  Town. —  The  Industry  North 
Meeting-IIouse. 

Till-:  commencement  of  the  second  decade  of  the  nineteenth 
century  found  the  inhabitants  of  Industry  struggling  bravely 
for  existence.  Although  their  condition  in  some  respects 
showed  a  marked  improvement,  still  their  lives  were  character- 
ized by  incessant  toil  and  frugal  economy.  The  oppressive 
Embargo  Act  had  been  repealed,  but  the  want  of  unit}-  among 
the  States  composing  the  Federal  Union  and  the  threatening 
anil  aggressive  attitude  of  England,  were  sources  of  constant 
anxiety  and  alarm.  Having  no  regular  mail,  the  suspense 
when  an  alarming  rumor  once  got  abroad  was,  to  say  the  least, 
decidedly  unpleasant. 

At  the  annual  meeting  March  11,  i8li,Josiah  Butler  was 
elected  chairman  of  the  board  of  selectmen,  with  William 
Allen,  Jr.,  and  Esquire  John  Gower  as  associates.  These 
gentlemen,  it  is  believed,  transacted  the  business  of  the  town 
with  care  anil  ability,  yet  charged  a  very  moderate  sum  for  their 


EVENTS  FROM  1S10  TO  1830.  205 

services.  Butler  and  Allen's  bill  was  $3.50  and  $4.50  respec- 
tively, while  Samuel  Mason,  as  town  clerk,  charged  but  $1.50 
for  his  services.  From  these  figures  the  reader  can  gain  a  good 
idea  of  the  frugal  manner  in  which  the  early  affairs  of  the  town 
were  managed,  as  this  was  not  an  exceptional  year.  The  high- 
way tax  this  year  was  $800,  and  men  and  oxen  were  allowed 
twelve  and  one-half  cents  per  hour  for  labor  on  the  roads. 
The  sum  of  $110  was  raised  to  defray  town  charges,  including 
powder,  which  was  very  expensive,  and  other  necessary  military 
stores. 

The  fences  in  Industry,  as  is  always  the  case  in  newly  set- 
tled localities,  were  very  poor,  while  as  a  rule  the  mowing  land 
and  tillage  were  unenclosed.  Consequently  depredations  from 
horses,  cattle  and  sheep  on  the  growing  crops  of  the  settler  were 
of  common  occurrence,  and  the  pound-keeper  was  a  necessary 
and  important  town  officer.  There  were  three  of  these  indis- 
pensable officers  chosen  at  the  annual  meeting  of  1812,  and  it 
was  their  duty  "  to  receive  and  safely  keep  all  animals  found 
running  at  large  until  claimed  by  its  lawful  owner,"  who  was 
first  required  to  pay  all  damages  together  with  the  cost  of 
keeping.  At  the  same  meeting  the  town  voted  to  accept  a 
pound  previously  built  in  the  south  part  of  the  town  near 
Esquire  John  Gower's,  "provided  no  charge  be  made  for  build- 
ing the  same."  Where  there  was  no  legal  enclosure  the  officer 
was  invariably  authorized  to  use  his  barn-yard  for  impounding 
purposes.  Whether  the  yard  of  the  average  farmer  had  ceased 
to  be  regarded  as  a  safe  enclosure  for  estray  animals,  or  whether 
the  action  was  prompted  by  some  other  cause,  is  not  known, 
but  the  town  voted  March  3,  1823,  to  build  a  pound  of  the 
following  dimensions,  viz. :  "  To  be  two  rods  square,  inside, 
with  walls  of  stone  four  feet  thick  at  the  base  and  eighteen 
inches  thick  at  the  top  ;  the  wall  to  be  sunk  in  a  sufficient 
depth  below  the  surface  to  prevent  damage  from  hogs,  and  rise 
six  feet  above  the  surface."  A  further  requirement  was  that 
the  walls  be  surmounted  by  timbers  "hewed  three-square,"  and 
that  the  entrance  be  closed  by  a  gate  hung  on  iron  hinges  and 
secured  by  a  lock  and    key.     The  contract  to  build  the  yard, 

26 


2o6  HISTOR ) '   ( )/■'  INDUSTR  \ '. 

agreeable  to  the  above  specifications,  was  let  to  Rowland  Luce, 
for  twenty-six  dollars.  Finding  the  job  a  work  of  more  magni- 
tude than  he  at  first  supposed,  he  subsequently  sought  and 
obtained  a  release  from  his  obligation.  The  site  selected  was 
near  the  centre  of  the  town,  on  land  owned  by  ('apt.  Ezekiel 
Hinkley,  and  during  the  summer  of  [825  the  yard  was  com- 
pleted. Here,  in  by-gone  days,  neighbor  A  was  wont  to  im- 
prison neighbor  IVs  cattle  and  sheep  when  found  trespassing 
upon  his  domain,  and  vice  versa,  but  pounds  and  pound- 
keepers  have  long  since  become  a  thing  of  the  past.  In  1858, 
by  a  vote  of  the  town,  the  walls  were  demolished  and  tin- 
stone used   for  road-building  purposes. 

An  effort  was  made  in  the  fall  of  1813  to  establish  a  new- 
county  which  would  include  the  town  of  Industry.  The  move- 
ment caused  no  little  discussion,  and  man}-  were  bitterly  op- 
posed to  the  measure.  Capt.  David  Hildreth  and  seventeen 
others  petitioned  the  selectmen  to  call  a  meeting  of  the  legal 
voters  to  see  if  they  would  instruct  the  municipal  officers  to 
oppose  the  project  by  sending  a  remonstrance  to  the  General 
Court.  The  meeting  assembled  at  the  house  of  William  Allen, 
Jr.,  Dec.  23,  [813,  and  after  mature  deliberation  it  was  deemed 
inexpedient  to  further  oppose  the  movement.  The  measure 
proved  unsuccessful,  however,  and  the  town  of  Industry  con- 
tinued to  form  a  part  of  Somerset  County. 

At  the  session  of  the  General  Court  for  181  3,  the  following 
petition  was  presented  from  the  inhabitants  of  dower's  (now 
Allen's)    Mills,  in  the  town  of  New  Sharon: 

To   the   Hon.  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives   in  General  Court 
assembled,  [an.  ~,  181 J  : 

The  Petition  of  the  Subscribers,  inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  New 
Sharon  in  the  County  of  Kennebec,  respectfully  shows  their  local  situa- 
tion is  such  as  in  a  great  measure,  if  not  wholly,  prevents  them  from 
enjoying  the  common  and  ordinary  privileges  of  the  other  inhabitants 
of  said  town,  being  situated  at  an  extreme  part  of  said  town  and  sepa- 
rated by  hogs  and  swamps  that  are  utterly  impassable  even  for  a  horse. 
and  at  a  distance  of  six  or  seven  miles  from  when'  the  meetings  are 
holden  for  transacting   town    business,  &c,  and  at   the  same   time   being 


EVENTS  FROM  1S10  TO  1830.  207 

not  more  than  a  mile  and  a  half  from  where  the  town  meetings  are  held 
in  Industry,  to  which  place  we  have  a  direct  road  in  good  repair,  that 
we  have  uniformly  joined  with  the  'Town  of  Industry  in  the  Support  of 
Schools  for  our  Children,  ami  we  there  perform  Military  duty.  Being 
thus  situated,  we  humbly  request  your  honorable  body  to  take  the 
premises  into  your  consideration,  and  grant  us  relief,  by  setting  off  our 
Polls  and  estates  from  the  Town  of  New  Sharon  aforesaid  and  annexing 
the  same  to  the  Town  of  Industry  in  the  County  of  Somerset,  by  a  line 
as  follows,  to-wit  :  beginning  at  the  east  corner  of  lot  No.  84,  in  New 
Sharon  on  the  westerly  line  of  Industry,  thence  south  forty-five  degrees 
west  about  threedburths  of  a  mile  to  the  East  line  of  the  Town  of 
Farmington,  and  then  to  include  all  that  part  of  New  Sharon  which 
lies  to  the  northwest  of  said  line,  being  lots  No.  84  and  85,  containing 
together,  about  one  hundred  and  seventy  acres. 
And  as  in  duty  bound  will  ever  pray. 

(Signed)  Henry  Smith. 

James  Gower. 
Rufus  Davis. 

The  prayer  of  these  petitioners  was  granted,  and  Govver's 
Mills  (see  p.  172)  straightway  became  a  part  of  the  Town  of 
Industry,  and  the  inhabitants  were  annexed  to  school  district 
No.  2,  at  Davis's  (now  Goodridgc's)  Corner,  where  their  children 
had  previously  attended  school. 

Early  in  18 14  the  "Cold  Plague"  or  "Cold  Fever,"*  as  it 
was  often  called,  prevailed  as  an  epidemic,  with  great  mortality, 
in  many  towns  on  the  Kennebec  and  Sandy  Rivers,  in  many 
instances  extending  to  contiguous  towns,  and  everywhere  strik- 
ing terror  to  the  bravest  hearts,  causing  the  ruggedest  check 
to  blanch  and  the  stoutest  to  tremble.  Since  the  first  settle- 
ment of  the  town  occasional  cases  had  occurred,  but  these  being 
isolated  from  each  other,  no  thoughts  of  its  prevailing  as  an 
epidemic  ever  entered  the  minds  of  the  settlers.  But  in  this 
year  it  assumed  a  very  malignant  type,  in  many  instances  ac- 
complishing its  fatal  work  in  a  few  days,  and  in  some  cases 
even  in  a  few  hours.     This  was  a  new  form  of  the  disease,  and 


*  This   disease   is  now   known  as  Typhus   Fever,  Ship   Fever,  etc.     Though    the 
writer  is  not  aware  that,  at  present,  it  prevails  as  an  epidemic  in  this  State. 


208  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

the  rapidity  and  dreadfulness  of  its  work  was  truly  appalling. 
In  man_\-  instances  it  swept  through  whole  neighborhoods  "and 
towns,  prostrating  entire  families,  tearing  loved  members  from 
the  family  circle,  claiming  its  victim  with  scarcely  a  moment's 
warning,  bringing  mourning  to  main- a  happy  home,  and  every- 
where marking  its  course  by  scores  of  newly-made  graves. 
Truly,  without  exaggeration,  this  might  well  be  styled  the  reign 
of  terror  in  Industry.  Families  and  individuals  were  forced  to 
suffer  and  die  without  the  sympathy  or  aid  of  neighbors  and 
friends,  as  few  had  the  courage  to  imperil  their  lives  by  a  visit  to 
the  abode  of  victims  of  this  terrible  disease.  Of  the  number 
of  deaths  which  occurred  in  this  town  during  the  prevalence  of 
this  disease,  the  writer  has  been  able  to  gather  but  little  definite 
information.  Fragmentary  records  in  his  possession,  however, 
show  an  unusual  death  rate  during  the  year,  and  judging  from 
these,  we  would  infer  that  a  fearful  mortality  was  the  result  of 
its  visitation  to  Industry. 

Ebenezer  Norton,  who  lived  on  the  Gore  on  the  farm  now 
(  1S92)  owned  by  Hiram  Norton,  was  one  of  the  early  victims 
of  this  malady.  As  nearly  as  can  be  learned,  he  had  been 
visiting  an  afflicted  family,  and  on  returning  home  was  himself 
prostrated   by  the  disease  and   lived   but  a  few  hours. 

William  Atkinson,  who  lived  on  the  farm  recently  owned  by 
John  W.  Perkins,  and  his  entire  family,  with  one  exception, 
were  prostrated  with  this  disease  earl)-  in  March.  One  morning 
during  their  illness  one  of  the  neighbors,  Rev.  John  Thompson, 
called  to  see  how  they  were  getting  along,  when  a  sight  which 
beggars  description  met  his  gaze  !  On  a  bed  lay  the  husband 
and  father,  his  eyelids  forever  closed  in  death,  while  nestled  by 
his  side,  wholly  unconscious  of  her  father's  condition,  lay  a  little 
babe  scarce  two  years  old ;  the  mother  in  an  almost  helpless 
condition  from  the  effects  of  the  same  disease,  which  but  a  few- 
hours  before  had  bereft  her  of  a  loving  husband,  while  in  the 
same  room  the  other  children  were  suffering  all  the  agonies 
incident  to  this  dreadful  disease.  Kind  "  Father  Thompson," 
his  heart  melting  with  pity  at  the  scene  of  suffering  and  woe 
before    him,  after  doing   what    he  could   for  the  comfort  of  the 


EVENTS  FROM  1S10  TO  1830.  209 

sick  ones,  wrapped  the  little  daughter  in  a  blanket  and  bore 
her  tenderly  to  his  own  home.  Here  she  was  kindly  cared  for, 
ami  grew  to  womanhood,  to  honor  and  respect  her  kind  bene- 
factor. She  subsequently  married  Hiram  Manter,  Esq.,  for 
many  years  a  worthy  and  influential  citizen  of  Industry. 

Among  the  deaths  which  occurred  about  the  same  time  of 
Mr.  Atkinson's,  probably  from  the  same  cause,  may  be  men- 
tioned:  Hannah  Stimpson,  March  26;  Betsey  Butler,  March 
29;  Betsey,  wife  of  James  Eveleth,  April  -;  Abner  C.  Ames, 
April  13;  Harrison  Davis,  April  14;  Dependence,  wife  of 
Benjamin  Burgess,  May  1  ;  Job  Swift,  May  1  ;  Eleazer  Robbins, 
June  11;  Daniel  Euce,  Sr.,  July  10;  Henry  Smith,  Nov.  19, 
and  Bennett  Young,  December  3.  Amid  the  weighty  cares 
and  perplexing  anxieties  incident  to  this  period,  with  money 
scarce  and  taxes  burdensome,  the  people  of  Industry  were  not 
unmindful  of  those  who  had  passed  away.  But  with  a  spirit 
worthy  of  emulation,  made  a  generous  appropriation  for  enclos- 
ing the  burial  ground  near  Capt.  John  Thompson's.  This 
burial-place  is  said  to  be  the  oldest  one  in  town,  and  the  re- 
mains of  many  of  the  early  settlers  repose  therein.  The  inhabi- 
tants residing  on  the  Gore,  a  valuable  tract  of  land  which  had 
been  incorporated  with  the  town  of  New  Vineyard,  petitioned 
the  General  Court  for  a  separation  from  New  Vineyard  and 
annexation  to  Industry.  The  petitioners  were  thoroughly  in 
earnest,  and  ardently  prosecuted  their  claims.  On  the  other 
hand,  the  inhabitants  of  New  Vineyard,  not  favoring  secession, 
were  bitterly  opposed  to  the  separation,  and  left  nothing  un- 
done to  defeat  the  purpose  of  the  petitioners.  A  special  town 
meeting  was  called  Nov.  7,  18 14,  at  which  time  the  selectmen 
were  instructed  to  prepare  a  petition  against  the  proposed 
separation.  The  full  text  of  the  petitions,  with  a  supple- 
mentary letter  from  William  Allen,  Jr.,  then  of  Norridgewock, 
favoring  the  Gore  petitioners,  were  as  follows  : 

To   the   Honorable   Senate  and   House  of  Representatives  in    General 

Court  assembled : 

Your  petitioners,  inhabitants  of  a  Gore  of  land,  so-called,  contain- 
ing about   1600  acres  attached   to   the    town  of  New  Vineyard,  in   the 


2IO 


HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 


County  of  Somerset,  humbly  represent  that  they  labor  under  main' 
disadvantages  by  being  annexed  to  said  town  oi  New  Vineyard,  being 
separated  therefrom  by  a  range  of  mountains  extending  almost  the 
whole  length  of  said  town,  which,  with  the  badness  of  the  roads,  in  a 
great  measure  cuts  off  all  communication  between  us  and  the  other 
inhabitants  of  said  town  ;  so  that  we  frequently  have  to  travel  a  distance 
equal  to  the  whole  length  of  said  town,  and  commonly  travel  as  far 
without  the  limits  of  said  town  as  would  nearly  carry  us  to  the  centre 
of  the  town  of  Industry  (where  the  roads  are  much  better),  in  order  to 
attend  our  town  meetings.  These,  with  other  disadvantages  which  we 
labor  under,  in  a  manner  debars  us  from  enjoying  the  privileges  com- 
monly enjoyed  by  town  inhabitants.  Your  petitioners  therefore  humbly 
pray  that  said  (lore  of  land,  with  the  inhabitants  thereon,  may  be  set 
off  to  the  town  of  Industry  in  said  County  of  Somerset,  and  as  in  duty 
bound  will  ever  pray. 


New  Vineyard,  June  14,  1.S14. 
[Signed] 

Cornelius  Norton. 
Elisha  Lambert. 
James  Graham. 
Nathan  Cutler. 
William   Davis. 
William    Presson. 


I  )aniel  Collins,  Jr. 
Tristram  N.  Presson. 
James   Presson. 
Daniel   Collins. 
Joseph  Collins. 
Zephaniah  Luce. 


In  the  House  of  Representatives,  Jan.  13,  1815.      Read   and    com- 
mitted  to  the  committee  on  towns. 
Sent  up  for  concurrence. 

I  Signed]  Timothy  Bigelow,  Speaker. 

In   Senate,  Jan.  13,   1.S15.      Read  and  concurred. 

[Signed]  JOHN    PHILLIPS,  President. 

Read  and  committed   to  committee  on  towns. 

[Signed]  JOHN    PHILLIPS,  President. 

Mouse  of  Representatives,  Feb.  4,  1815.     Read  and  concurred. 
[Signed]  TIMOTHY    BlGELOW,  Speaker. 


To    the    Hon.   Senate    and     IJonsc     of     Representatives,     in     General 
Court  assembled : 

Your  petitioners,  inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  New  Vineyard,  in  the 
County  of  Somerset,  humbly  represent :  That  they  are  much  opposed 
to  the  setting  of  the  Gore  of  Land,  so-called,  from   the  Town  of  New 


EVENTS  FROM   1S10  TO  1830. 


1  l 


Vineyard,  and  annexing  the  same  to  the  town  of  Industry,  for  the 
following  reasons,  viz.  :  ily.  By  taking  of  said  Gore  of  land  the  best 
tract  of  land  of  the  same  bigness  if  taken  off  which  will  impoverish  the 
remainder  of  said  town. 

2dy.  The  men  that  principally  own  the  land  in  said  Gore  are  much 
against  its  being  set  off  from  said  New  Vineyard,  feeling  themselves 
much  injured  thereby. 

3ly.  The  signers  of  the  petition  for  setting  off  said  Gore,  six  or 
seven  of  them,  do  not  own  one  foot  of  land  in  said  Gore.  We  further 
state  that  the  chain  of  mountains  alluded  to  by  your  petitioners  in  said 
Gore,  does  not  intercept  between  the  inhabitants  of  said  Gore  and  the 
Centre  of  the  Town  in  the  least,  therefore  can't  view  that  as  any 
reason  for  setting  off  the  said  Gore.  Our  town  meetings  has  been 
alternately,  so  that  the  inhabitants  of  said  Gore  have  not  experienced 
any  peculiar  disadvantage  by  going  to  town  meetings.  We,  the  under- 
signed do  therefore  humbly  pray  that  said  (lore  may  not  be  set  off 
from  the  Town  of  New  Vineyard.  And  as  in  duty  bound  will  ever  pray. 
New  Vineyard,  Dec.  13,  1S14. 


[Signed] 


Benj'n  C.  Norton. 
Elijah  Manter. 
Henry  Manter. 
Elijah  Norton. 
Charles  Luce,  Jr. 
Isaac  Norton. 
John  Spencer. 
Stephen  Birse  (  ?) 
William  Talbot.* 
Joseph  Butler. 
Solomon  Butler,  Jr.1 
Paul   Pratt. 
David  Pratt. 
James  Ridgway. 


Sam'l  Daggett,    ) 

I'm.  Norton,         j-  Selectmen. 
Asa  Merry,          ) 

Joseph  W.  Smith,  Town  Clerk. 

Joseph  Viles. 
John   Daggett. 
Charles    Luce. 
Henry  Butler.  Jr. 
Simpson   White. 
Howard  Win  slow. 
Daniel  Gould. 
Nathan   Daggett. 
Thomas   Daggett. 
Eben'r  Casey.  (  ?) 
Nathan  Daggett.  % 
David  Luce. 
Peter  Butler. 
Elijah   Butler. 


*  Probably  William  Talcott. 

f  Undoubtedly  Simeon  liutler,  fr. 

%  In  the  opinion  of  the  author,  this  should  be  Nathan  Daggett,  Jr. 


2  I  2 


///.sVVVv')     OF  INDUSTRY 


Micah   Bryant,  Jr. 
Tristram   Presson. 
Janus  Graham. 
Rufus  Viles. 
John   Flint. 
Solomon   Luce. 
Thorns  Flint. 
Wm.  Barker. 
John  C.  Davis. 
Henry  Butler. 
James  Presson.  (  2) 


John    Berry. 
Eben'r   Pratt. 
Jonah  Vaughn. 
Levi  Young. 
Zebulon   Manter. 
Wm.  Presson. 
Joseph   Viles,  Jr. 
David    Davis. 
John  T.  Luce. 

(?)   Davis. 

Wm.  Anderson. 


NORRIDGEWOCK,  Jan.   2$,    1815. 

William  Sylvester,  Esq. 

Dear  Sir: — I  am  told  there  will  be  some  opposition  to  the  petition 
of  C.  Norton  and  others,  and  thai  proper  measures  have  not  been  taken 
to  ti\  the  valuation  of  that  part  of  New  Vineyard  described  in  the 
petition  :  That  the  whole  town,  by  the  last  valuation,  contained  2d. 000 
acres  and  no  polls.  The  (lore  described  in  the  petition  contains  but 
1600  acres  and  I  believe  10  ratable  polls,  but  as  the  land  in  the  Gore 
is  more  valuable  than  the  rest  of  the  town.  I  think  it  would  be  correct 
to  estimate  it  at  ,b  of  the  whole  town  ;  so  if  the  prayer  of  the  petition- 
ers should  be  granted,  three  cents  (on  the  1000  dollars)  ought  to  be 
taken  from  New  Vineyard,  which  now  pays  37  cents  on  the  1000.  and 
added  to  Industry,  which  now  pays  34  cents  on  the  1000.  It  has  been 
proposed  to  have  recourse  to  the  returns  of  the  selectmen  on  the  last 
valuation,  but  this  would  be  incorrect,  as  several  of  the  petitioners  own 
large  tracts  of  land  in  the  other  part  of  the  town,  so  that  the  valuation 
of  their  estates  as  returned  would  be  no  guide  for  making  the  estimate, 
and  it  would  be  desirable  to  have  an  estimate  made  as  correct  as  the 
case  will  admit,  so  as  not  to  have  the  petitioners  to  pay  their  State  and 
County  taxes  in  New  Vineyard  till  the  next  valuation.  I  sketch  you  a 
rough  plan  of  the  towns  of  Industry  and  New  Vineyard,  by  which  von 
may  see  the  situation  of  the  petitioners.  Yours  Respectfully, 

[Signed]         \Y\i.  Allen,  Jr. 

The  prayer  of  these  petitioners  was  granted,  and  that  valua- 
ble tract  of  land  known  as  the  New  Vineyard  Gore  became  a 
part  of  the  town  of  Industry. 

On  Sept.  23,  [815,  occurred  one  of  the  most  violent  and 
extended     gales    known    in    the   annals    of    New    England;    but 


EVENTS  FROM   1810  TO  1830.  213 

every  effort  of  the  writer  to  learn  something  of  its  effects  in 
Industry  has  proved  unavailing. 

Hardly  had  a  year  elapsed  after  the  close  of  the  second  war 
with  England,  ere  the  separation  of  the  District  of  Maine  from 
Massachusetts  became  a  subject  of  much  discussion.  For  a 
time  the  legal  voters  in  town  were  about  equally  divided  on  the 
question,  and  at  a  town  meeting  held  May  20,  1 8 1 6,  the  vote 
stood  twenty-four  opposed  and  twenty-six  in  favor  of  a  separa- 
tion. At  a  second  meeting  holden  Sept.  2,  18 16,  the  oppo- 
nents of  the  project  were  in  the  majority,  the  vote  standing 
thirty-eight  and  forty.  No  further  action  appears  to  have 
been  taken  by  the  town  relative  to  this  question  until  May  3, 
1 8 19.  On  that  date  a  special  meeting  was  called  and  a  majority 
voted  in  favor  of  the  separation.  At  a  subsequent  meeting, 
holden  July  26,  1 8 19,  when  the  question  was  finally  submitted 
to  the  people,  the  vote  stood  :  in  favor  of  separation,  5  1  ;  op- 
posed to  it,  n.  Captain  Ezckiel  Hinkley  was  chosen  delegate 
to  the  constitutional  convention,  which  assembled  at  Portland 
on  Monday,  Oct.  2,  18 19.  The  constitution  there  framed,  when 
submitted  to  the  people  for  ratification,  was  unanimously 
adopted  by  the  voters  of  Industry.  On  April  3,  1820,  the  legal 
voters  for  the  first  time  gave  in  their  votes  for  governor  of 
Maine.  These  were  declared  as  follows:  William  King,  40 
votes;  Mark  L.  Hill,  7  votes ;  Samuel  S.  Wild,  3  votes;  Scat- 
tering, 2  votes.  The  vote  for  a  representative  to  the  first  Maine 
Legislature  given  in  at  a  subsequent  meeting  was :  For 
Esquire  John  Gower,  55  votes;    for  Capt.  John   Reed,  36  votes. 

From  1 8 10  to  1820,  the  town  made  a  gain  of  two  hundred 
and  sixteen  in  population,  and  also  added  forty-one  ratable 
polls  to  the  number  of  its  tax-paying  inhabitants.  There 
was  likewise  a  net  gain,  between  1812  and  1821,  of  $30,- 
521  in  the  value  of  property  as  shown  by  the  State  valua- 
tion of  that  period.  Rut  little  of  importance  occurred  in  the 
history  of  the  town  between  1820  and  1825.  In  1821  the  sub- 
ject of  forming  a  new  county  was  again  agitated,  and  on  the 
10th  of  September  the  town  voted  forty-nine  to  six  against 
leaving     the    County    of    Somerset.      Capt.    John    Thompson, 

27 


214  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

Bartlett  Allen,  Capt.  Jabez  Norton  and  Esq.  Daniel  Shaw  were 
chosen  a  committee  to  draft  a  remonstrance. 

In  the  winter  of  1K21,  Sherburne  Fogg  and  family,  from 
Sandwich,  New  Hampshire,  became  chargeable  to  the  town. 
Mr.  Fogg  was  blind  and  infirm,  and  one  of  his  daughters  is 
said  to  have  been  non  compos  mentis.  In  their  indigent  circum- 
stances the  inhabitants  of  the  town  felt  that  the  expenses  of  this 
family  were  an  unjust  and  onerous  burden.  Learning  that  the 
legal  residence  of  this  family  was  in  Sandwich,*  various  meas- 
ures were  suggested  for  relieving  the  town  of  its  burden,  and 
at  different  times  offers  were  made  and  accepted  for  their 
removal  to  that  place.  Notwithstanding  this,  the  Foggs  con- 
tinued to  make  their  home  in  Industry,  and  for  several  years 
were  a  source  of  much  trouble  and  great  expense. 

A  Sunday-school,  probably  the  first  in  town,  was  organized 
in  1  )eacon  Emery's  neighborhood  about  1  82  I .  This  school  held 
its  sessions  in  the  school-house  to  the  south  of  Deacon  Emery's 
residence  (see  p.  94).  Nothing  can  be  learned  regarding  the 
school  aside  from  the  fact  the  Deacon  and  John  Mason  were 
ardent  supporters,  if  not  the  originators  of  the  movement.! 

Between  1820  and  1824,  many  roads  and  private  ways  were 
laid  out  by  the  selectmen.  These,  from  some  unexplained 
reason,  became  a  cause  of  frequent  dissensions  and  proved  a 
source  of  no  little  trouble  to  the  municipal  officers.  One  short 
piece  of  road  in  particular,  running  north  from  West's  Mills  to 
the  New  Vineyard  line,  was  located  and  re-located  several 
times  before  it  became  permanently  established.  To  keep  its 
roads  safe  and  passable  was  a  work  of  considerable  magnitude 
and  great  expense  to  the  town.  When  the  sum  annually  ap- 
propriated for  that  purpose  proved  insufficient,  all  propositions 
to  raise  an   additional   sum   were  invariably  voted   down.     The 


*  See  "  Reminiscences  of  John  Mason,"  in  Chapter  XII. 

t  A  Sunday-school  was  something  new,  and  the  term  did  not  sound  right  to  the 
Orthodox  ears  of  the  townspeople.  The  subject  occasioned  no  little  discussion,  and 
some  regarded  it  as  an  unwarranted  desecration  of  the  day  of  rest.  Esq.  Samuel 
Norton  was  so  thoroughly  convinced  of  this  that  he  made  the  suggestion  that  the 
school  he  held  on  Saturday  afternoon,  for  a  while,  until  people  could  have  an  oppor- 
tunity to   judge  of  its  htness  for  the  holy  Sabbath. 


E TENTS  FROM   1S10   TO  1830.  21  5 

beginning  of  the  year  1826  found  the  roads  in  an  extremely 
bad  condition.  Indeed,  a  complaint  against  them  had  already 
been  made  to  the  Grand  Jury,  and  a  law-suit  seemed  imminent 
with  a  prominent  townsman  for  injuries  his  horse  had  sustained 
in  consequence  of  their  defective  condition.  These  develop- 
ments seem  to  have  roused  the  people  to  action,  and  at  a  town 
meeting  held  Sept.  23,  1826,  the  highway  surveyors  were  in- 
structed to  open  the  roads  at  the  expense  of  the  town  when- 
ever obstructed   by  snow. 

James  Davis  was  licensed  to  retail  spirituous  liquors,  by  the 
selectmen,  in  December,  1821,  being  the  first  person  so  licensed 
in   Industry  under  the  new  State  license  law. 

In  1822  the  inhabitants  residing  in  the  New  Vineyard  Gore 
(see  p.  46)  sent  a  petition  to  the  Legislature,  praying  that 
their  estates  be  set  off  from  Industry  and  annexed  to  the  town 
of  Strong.  This  movement  was  strongly  opposed  by  the  town 
of  Industry,  and  the  prayer  of  the  petitioners  was  not   granted. 

When  the  Lowell,  or  Mile-and-a-half  Strip,  was  surveyed 
by  Esq.  Cornelius  Norton,  in  1802,  the  boundaries  at  Stark 
line  were  not  known.  Consequently  the  whole  of  Lot  No.  1, 
and  a  portion  of  No.  2,  in  the  first  range,  with  nearly  seven- 
eighths  of  Lot  No.  29,  in  the  second  range,  were  found  to  be 
in  Stark,  when  the  boundaries  were  at  length  permanently 
established.  Esq.  Peter  West,  the  first  settler  on  Lot  No.  29, 
found  to  his  surprise  that  his  barn  was  in  the  town  of  Stark, 
though  his  house  was  in  Industry.  The  grist-mill  at  West's 
Mills  proved  to  be  in  close  proximity  to  the  town  line,  as  did 
also  the  barn  on  the  lot  north  of  the  brick  school-house.  A 
petition  was  drawn  up  in  1820,  and  presented  to  the  Legislature 
early  in  1821,  but  no  action  was  taken,  aside  from  notifying  the 
towns  interested,  until  January,  1822,  when  the  prayer  of  the 
petition,  which  reads  as  follows,  was  allowed:* 


*  Although  the  records  of  that  town  do  not  show  they  were  authorized  so  to  do, 
the  selectmen  and  town  clerk  strongly  remonstrated  against  granting  the  request  of 
the  petitioners.  Their  claims  and  assertions  were  of  the  most  sweeping  character,  as 
the  following  excerpt  abundantly  proves  : 

If  the  petitioners  labored  under  any  real  grievance,  although  it  might  injure  the 
town  of  Starks,  we  should  be  silent.     The  town  line  was  well  known  at  the  time  of 


2  1 6  HISTi  )R ) '  ( >/■    TNDl  SFR  Y. 

To  the   Honorable  Senate  ami  Iliuise  of  Representatives  of  the  State  of 
Mass.,*  in  Legislature  assembled  : 

Respectfully  show  your  petitioners  that  they  arc  the  proprietors  ami 
owners  of  a  lot  of  land,  numbered  twenty  nine,  situated  part  in  the 
North  East  corner  of  Industry,  and  part  in  the  North  West  corner  of 
Starks.  in  the  County  of  Somerset,  containing  about  three  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  :  The  course  of  the  town  line  not  being  known,  when  this 
lot  was  originally  laid  out  and  settled,  one  of  your  petitioners  erected 
his  buildings  inadvertantly  so  that  a  part  of  them  are  in  Starks.  That 
the  most  convenient  places  for  building  are  in  that  part  which  is  in 
Starks.  That  your  petitioners  have  for  fifteen  or  twenty  years  past,  been 
settled  in,  and  become  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Industry  :  That  they 
are  unwilling  to  relinquish  their  privileges  and  rights  as  inhabitants  of 
this  town,  where  their  interests  and  connections  are  identified,  and  that 
their  estates  would  become  much  more  saleable  and  would  be  im- 
proved to  a  much  better  advantage  if  the  whole  of  said  lot  were 
annexed  to  said  Industry.  That  the  above  lot  is  so  separated  by  bogs 
and  swamps,  from  the  other  settlements  in  Starks,  that  no  benefit  could 
be  derived  from  town  privileges  if  your  petitioners  were  to  build  their 
houses  on  that  part  of  said  lot  which  lies  in  Starks,  and  thereby  become 
inhabitants  of  that  town,  that  their  interests  would  be  greatly  promoted 
and  no  one  would  be  injured  if  the  prayer  of  this  petition  should  be 
granted. 

They  therefore  humbly  pray  that,  that  part  of  the  lot  of  land  num- 
bered  twenty-nine,  which  lies  in   the   North  West  corner  of  Starks.  may 


the  settlement  of  said  lot,  and  if  a  part  of  the  buildings  of  one  <if  the  petitioners 
was  inadvertantly  located  in  Starks,  it  was  his  own  choice,  and  he  ought  not  now  to 
attempt  to  encroach  on  the  limits  of  the  town.  Besides,  if  the  prayer  of  the  petition 
should  he  granted,  one  encroachment  will  follow  another  until  the  town  will  be 
dismembered  of  the  best  part  of  its  territory  and  settlers.  The  town  now  nearly 
square  and  taking  a  large  lot  out  of  one  corner  will  he  of  more  injury  to  the  town 
than  any  possible  benefit  to  the  petitioners.  We  therefore  earnestly  pray  that  the 
prayer  of  the  said  petitioners  may  not  be  granted,  and  as  in  duty  bound  will  ever 
pray.     Starks,  1  )ec,  iNji. 

[Signed]  BENJAMIN    HOLBROOK,  |  Selectmen 

Edgar  Hilton,  J-        of 

LEANARD   GREATON,       )        Starks. 
[AMES    WA1  GH,  Town   Clerk. 

*  It  will  be  noticed  that  this  petition  was  addressed  to  the  Legislature  of  the 
State  of  Massachusetts.  Soon  after  that  the  District  of  Maine  became  an  independ- 
ent State  and  this  petition,  with  other  documents,  was  transferred  to  the  State 
Legislature  of  Maine.  This  circumstance  also  explains  the  delay  in  granting  the 
prayer  of  the  petitioners. 


EVENTS  FA' OI\r  1S10  TO  1830.  2\J 

be   set   off    from    said    Shirks   and   annexed    to    the   town   of    Industry. 

Industry,  1820. 

Peter  West,  Jr. 
True  Remick. 
Samuel  Pinkham. 

I  own  a  small   part  of  the  above  lot,  and  join  in  the  above  petition. 
[Signed]  Benj'n  Manter. 

The  success  of  Peter  West,  Jr.,  and  others,  in  securing  an- 
nexation of  this  lot  so  changed  the  northern  boundary  line  of 
Industry  as  to  render  it  possible  for  the  inhabitants  on  the 
southwest  corner  of  Anson,  who  were  isolated  in  a  measure 
from  the  rest  of  the  town,  to  petition  for  and  secure  the  neces- 
sary legislation  to  constitute  them  citizens  of  Industry  and  their 
farms  a  part  of  the  town.  This  petition,  now  preserved  in  the 
archives  of  the  State  at  Augusta,  reads  as  follows  : 

To  the  Hon.  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives,  of  the  State  of  Maine, 
in  Legislature  assembled : 

Your  petitioners  would  humbly  represent  that  they  are  inhabitants 
of  the  Town  of  Anson,  in  the  County  of  Somerset,  in  said  State,  that 
they  are  situated  in  the  southwest  corner  of  said  town,  that  they  are 
highly  discommoded  in  their  situation  in  said  town  as  to  town  privi- 
leges, being  separated  from  said  town  by  a  swamp  or  bog,  which 
renders  our  route  to  trainings  and  town  meeting  circular  and  lengthy,  a 
distance  of  about  ten  miles  to  the  usual  place  of  holding  town  meetings, 
as  also  being  very  inconvenient  as  to  schools,  it  being  a  number  of  miles 
to  any  other  inhabitants  in  said  town,  and  our  number  is  not  sufficient 
to  support  a  school  ourselves.  We  therefore  pray  that  we,  the  sub- 
scribers, may  be  set  off  from  the  said  town  of  Anson  and  annexed  to 
the  town  of  Industry  adjoining  ;  together  with  the  several  lots  of  land 
on  which  we  live,  with  all  the  privileges  thereon,  being  Lots  No.  one 
and  two  in  the  first  range  of  lots  in  said  Town  of  Anson,  containing 
four  hundred  acres.  The  granting  the  above  petition  will  much  im- 
prove our  situation  in  town  affairs  in  particular,  the  education  of  our 
children,  and  advance  the  value  of  our  farms  ;  as  in  duty  bound  will 
ever  pray.     Anson,  Oct.  S,  1822. 

[Signed]  Peter  W.  Willis. 

Benj'n   Manter. 

James  Stevens. 

William  Butler. 


21  8  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

This  petition  received  the  immediate  attention  of  the  Legis- 
lature, and  ere  the  month  of  February,  [823,  had  passed,  the 
petitioners  had  their  prayer  granted. 

Early  in  1825  parties  who  had  been  for  some  time  discuss- 
ing the  subject,  caused  to  be  inserted  in  the  warrant  for  the 
annual  meeting,  an  article  "To  see  what  sum  of  money  the 
town  would  raise  to  build  a  town-house."  The  article  was 
summarily  dismissed  without  action,  at  the  meeting.  A  similar 
article  fared  the  same  fate  in  a  meeting  held  Sept.  11,  1826. 
On  the  following  day  the  selectmen  issued  a  second  warrant 
calling  a  meeting  of  the  legal  voters  on  the  twenty-third  day  of 
the  same  month.  At  this  meeting  Thomas  Bondley,  of  Hal- 
lowell,  was  elected  to  select  a  convenient  site  for  a  town-house. 
The  location  of  the  house  seems  to  have  remained  an  unsettled 
question  until  February,  1827,  when  the  town  voted  to  locate 
it  "at  the  junction  of  the  Bannock  Hill  and  New  Sharon  roads, 
near  widow  Anna  Norton's."  But  to  this  selection  there  were 
many  dissenting  voices  and  other  locations  proposed.  This 
want  of  harmony  paralyzed  all  action,  and  Industry's  town- 
house  existed  only  in  the  fancies  of  its  projectors. 

In  the  autumn  of  1825,  after  a  drouth,  the  severity  of  which 
had  never  been  equalled  in  the  history  of  the  town,  fires 
broke  out  in  the  woods  in  Industry,  about  the  same  time  as  the 
great  fire  at  Mirimichi.  There  was  a  great  scarcity  of  water 
all  over  the  town  ;  wells  were  either  dry  or  yielded  a  limited  and 
uncertain  supply,  and  springs  which  had  previously  been  con- 
sidered "never-failing"  now  absolutely  refused  to  yield  a  single 
drop.  A  fire  in  the  woods,  dreaded  as  it  naturally  is  at  any 
time,  becomes  infinitely  more  dreadful  when  it  occurs  during  a 
great  scarcity  of  water, — when  our  homes  are  threatened  by  the 
fire  fiend  without  any  means  at  command  to  defend  them. 
Such  was  the  situation  in  Industry  when  the  fire  broke  out. 
The  protracted  drouth  had  rendered  the  half-decayed  vegeta- 
tion of  the  woods  and  swamps  as  combustible  as  tinder,  and, 
fanned  by  a  strong  breeze,  even  evergreens  burned  like  pine 
kindlings.  Is  it  strange  that,  under  such  circumstances,  the 
inhabitants  stood  abashed  and  appalled  at  the  spectacle?     The 


EVENTS  FROM   1S10  TO  1830.  219 

fire  first  broke  out  on  the  mountain  near  the  house  of  Rowland 
Luce.  From  thence  it  spread  rapidly  in  many  directions,  burn- 
ing over  large  tracts  of  territory  and  destroying  much  valuable 
timber,  and  in  some  instances  happy  homes  were  reduced  to 
ashes  by  the  devouring  element.  For  days  at  a  time  the  smoke 
would  be  so  thick  as  to  render  breathing  very  oppressive. 
Among  the  burnt  lands  was  a  large  tract  eastward  from  Tib- 
betts's  Corner,  a  portion  of  which  now  belongs  to  the  so-called 
William  Henry  Luce  farm.  Also  a  portion  of  the  farm  re- 
cently occupied  by  the  widow  of  Charles   H.  B.  True. 

As  the  people  of  Industry  began  to  emerge  from  poverty 
and  want,  they  keenly  felt  the  need  of  better  accommodations 
for  public  worship.  Hitherto  religious  meetings  had  been  held 
in  school-houses  or  in  the  dwellings  of  such  as  were  willing  to 
open  their  houses  on  those  occasions.  Now  even  the  largest 
school-houses  were  not  of  sufficient  capacity  to  accommodate 
the  church-goers.  To  meet  the  requirements  of  the  case,  the 
town  voted  Sept.  9,  1822,  to  appropriate  $200  for  building  a 
meeting-house,  and  chose  a  committee  of  nine  to  locate  the 
house,  procure  plans  and  make  all  necessary  preliminary 
arrangements  for  its  erection.  There  is  no  record  of  this  com- 
mittee, and  it  is  probable  no  report  was  ever  made,  for  so  large 
a  number  could  hardly  be  expected  to  agree  on  any  subject 
when  so  great  a  chance  existed  for  difference  of  opinion.  No 
further  action  is  shown  to  have  been  taken  by  the  town  in 
regard  to  a  meeting-house  until  March,  1824,  when  the  town 
was  again  asked  to  appropriate  money  for  that  purpose.  The 
record  of  the  meeting  is  incomplete,  hence  what  action  was 
taken  on  the  article  is  not  known. 

The  Methodists,  aided  largely  by  Capt.  John  Thompson, 
erected  a  house  of  worship  in  1823  (see  p.  ij<>),  near  Pike's 
Corner,  in  the  cast  part  of  the  town. 

Evidently  those  interested  in  the  erection  of  a  house  of 
worship,  becoming  discouraged,  ceased  to  look  to  the  town  for 
aid,  and  resolved  to  erect  a  house  by  private  subscription.  The 
first  movement  in  this  direction  was  made  by  the  citizens  of 
Industry  on  Tuesday,  Dec.  11,  1827,  when  a  meeting  was   held 


220  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

at  the  Centre  School-house  at  Davis's  Corner.  The  assembly 
organized  by  calling  Benjamin  Allen  to  preside,  and  electing 
Capt.  Newman  T.  Allen  clerk.  The  meeting  voted  to  build  a 
house  of  worship,  and  chose  Esquire  Moses  Tolman,  John 
Trafton,  Jacob  Hayes,  George  Hobbs,  Capt.  Ezekiel  11  inkle}-, 
James  Eveleth  and  John  C.  Butterfield,  a  building  committee. 
It  was  also  voted  that  each  subscriber  for  a  pew  should  give  a 
"confession  note  "  to  indemnify  the  building  committee.  The 
constitution  framed  and  adopted  was  as  follows  : 

CONSTITUTION    OF   THE    INDUSTRY    UNION    MEETING-HOI 

Art.  ist.  Each  person  shall  be  entitled  to  a  vote  respecting  the 
occupying  [of]  the  desk  and  the  time  of  occupying  [to]  be  divided  by 

the  votes  for  the  time  [or  term]  of  one  year  in  [a]  succession  of  Sab- 
baths, and  any  pewholder  shall  have  the  right  of  altering  his  vote  it 
the  expiration  of  one  year  from  the  time  the  vote  was  last  taken. 

Art.  2a'.  Each  denomination  shall  have  an  agent  appointed  that 
other  denominations  shall  apply  to  respecting  his  denomination  occupy- 
ing the  desk  when  belonging  to  them,  and  if  they  are  not  going  [to  use 
it]  the  first  denomination  a] (plying  shall  have  the  same  right  to  occupy 
as  though  it  was  their  turn. 

Art.  3d.  Each  pewholder  shall  have  a  right  to  occupy  the  desk 
himself  or  by  any  other  person  at  any  time,  providing  he  does  not 
infringe  upon  previous  appointments;  providing,  nevertheless,  that  no 
man  shall  occupy  the  desk  himself  or  make  appointments  for  any  other 
[person]  except  he  be  a  professor  of  the  christian  religion  and  of  good 
moral  character  and  suitably  recommended  as  a  preacher  of  the  gospel. 
Art.  4th.  No  meeting  of  the  proprietors  shall  be  holden  unless  the 
agent  of  each  denomination  shall  be  notified  seven  days  previous  to 
said  meeting.  [Signed] 

Henry  I1..  Rackliff.  Ezekiel   Ilinklev. 

Alvan  Smith.  *  James   Davis. 

Moses  Tolman.  Nathan  Goodridge. 

Freeman  Allen.  James  Eveleth. 

Eben  Willard.  Newman  T.  Allen. 

William  Harvey.  George   Hobbs. 

Rufus  Gennings.  Benjamin  Allen. 


*  The  words  here  inclosed   in   brackets  were  obvious  omissions,  either  in   draw 
ing  up  or  recording  the  instrument.     They  arc  here  supplied  to  complete  the  sense. 


EVENTS  FROM  1S10  TO  1830. 


22  1 


Jacob  Hayes. 
William  Allen. 
Elisha  Luce. 
Josiah  Butler. 
James  Stanley. 
Valentine  Look. 
Aholiab  Bigelow. 
Cornelius  Davis. 
Francis  Remick. 
Charles   L.  Allen. 


John  Trafton. 
Francis   Meatier.  2< 
|osiah    Hinkley. 
James  Bailey. 
Rowland    Line. 
Daniel    Luce. 
Benjamin  Cottle. 
David    Line.' 
John  C  Butterfield 


At  a  meeting  held  by  adjournment  on  Friday,  December 
14,  it  was  decided  to  put  up  at  public  auction  the  furnishing  of 
material  and  construction  of  the  house.  Accordingly  the  vari- 
ous contracts  were  struck  off  as  follows: 


Foundation  and  Underpinning,  to  Josiah  Hinkley. 

Frame,  to  William   Harvey, 

Finishing  the  Outside,  to  Benjamin  Allen, 

Lime,  to  Rufus  Gennings,  at  $2.48  per  cask. 

Furring- and   Lathing  inside,  to  James  Davis, 

Sand,  to  Elisha   Luce, 

Hair  and   Plastering,  to  Gen.  Nathan  Goodridge, 

Finishing  Inside,  to   lames  Eveleth, 


$49.00 
100.00 
375-°° 

46.50 

6-75 
16.00 

325-°° 


$918.25 


Thus  it  is  seen  that  the  house,  exclusive  of  lime  for  plaster- 
ing, etc.,  cost  nine  hundred  and  eighteen  dollars  and  twenty-five 
cents.  In  the  month  of  February  following,  the  proprietors 
chose  Revs.  Sylvanus  Boardman  and  Fifield  Holt,  and  Judge 
Thomas  Parker,  of  Farmington,  a  committee  to  locate  or  select 
a  site  for  the  structure.  The  report  of  the  committee  is  dated 
at  Industry,  Feb.  27,  1828,  and  the  site  selected  is  the  one  on 
which  the  house  now  ( 1892)  stands.  There  is  much  uncertainty 
as  to  the  date  when  the  house  was  completed,  as  the  records  of 
the   proprietors  are   incomplete.     They  chose   a   committee   to 


*This  was  David  M.,  son  of  Charles  and  Catherine  (Merry)  Luce.  He  was 
commonly  called  "  Pond  David  Luce,"  from  the  fact  that  he  lived  near  the  shore  of 
Clear  Water  Pond,  and  to  distinguish  him  from  another  person  of  the  same  name 
who  resided  near  West's  Mills. 


28 


2  22  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

settle  with  the  building  committee  April  30,  [829,  hence  it  is 
hut  reasonable  to  infer  that  the  house  was  completed  prior  to 
that  date.  The  financial  affairs  were  managed  with  so  much 
ability  that  an  excess  of  $56.65  remained  in  the  hands  of  the 
building  committee  after  all  expenses  were  paid.  The  author 
has  not  been  able  to  learn  anything  definite  concerning  the 
dedication  of  the  house  or  the  date- of  its  occurrence.*  The 
proprietors  continued  to  hold  business  meetings  regularly  up 
to  the  close  of  [838,  but  their  organization  was  eventually  lost 
by  deaths  and  removals  from  town. 

A  number  of  wealth}-  gentlemen  residing  at  or  near  West's 
Mills,  met  in  the  spring  of  1828  to  consider  the  propriety  of 
erecting  a  third  house  of  worship  in  Industry.  As  the  result 
of  this  conference,  the  following  constitution  was  drawn  up  and 
accepted : 

INDUSTRY    NORTH    MEETING-HOUSE    CONSTITUTION. 

Art.  1st.  The  house  shall  be  called  die  Industry  Ninth  Meeting 
House. 

Art.  J//.  The  house  shall  he  built  on  the  south  line  of  a  piece  <>f 
land  now  owned  by  Mr.  [ohn  Remick,  on  the  west  side  of  the  road 
leading  from  West's  Mills  to  the  New  Vineyard  [line]  a  few  rods  north 
of  the  school-house. 

Art.  3d.  The  house  shall  be  considered  the  Methodist  and  Con- 
gregational Meeting-House,  one  half  to  each  denomination.  The 
Methodist  shall  have  [the]  right  to  improve  [use]  said  house  one-half 
of  the  time  and  the  Congregationalists  the  other  half,  to  be  divided  into 
weeks  [of]  equal   [length]. 

Art.  4th.  The  house  shall  be  built  by  all  the  pews  [pew  owners] 
in  proportion  to  what  the  pews  mav  sell    for. 

Art.  Jth.      Each  [owner  of  one]  pew  shall   be  entitled  to  two  votes. 

Art.  6th.  The  weeks  of  each  denomination's  turn  to  use  said  house 
shall  commence  on  the  Sabbath. 


*  from  the  l>est  recollections  <>[  the  older  people,  such  as  Mrs.  Phebe  Cushman, 
Teressa  Luce  and  Nancy  Leavitt,  Rev.  foseph  Underwood,  of  New  Sharon,  preached 
the  dedicatory  sermon,  ami  Rev.  Sylvanus  Boardman  offered  the  dedicatory  prayer. 
Mrs.  Cushman,  who  assisted  in  the  singing  on  that  occasion,  is  of  the  opinion  that 
the  house  was  dedicated  in  the  fall.  She  states  that  the  weather  was  line  and  the 
exercises  very  interesting  and  enjoyable. 


EVENTS  FROM    1810  TO  1830.  223 

Art.  yth.  Either  denomination  shall  have  [the]  right  to  use  said 
house  for  the  Worship  of  God  on  the  Sabbath  or  on  week  days,  not- 
withstanding it  is  not  their  turn  to  use  it,  provided  it  is  not  used  by 
those  whose  right  it  is  to  use  it. 

Art.  8th.  No  person  Shall  have  a  right  to  Sell  a  pew  at  private 
Sale  without  posting  up  Notice  of  the  same  in  said  house  three  weeks 
previous  to  the  Day  of  Sale. 

Art.  gth.  There  Shall  be  a  Committee  to  Superintend  the  build- 
ing of  said   house. 

Art.  lotli.  There  Shall  be  an  annual  Meeting  holden  on  the  first 
Monday  of  May  forever,  to  transact  any  business  that  may  be  thought 
necessary  Relative  to  said   house. 

Art.  nth.  This  Constitution  Shall  be  binding  in  all  its  parts  after 
Being  Signed   by  two-thirds  of  the  pew  holders. 

Art.  /2th.  Said  house  Shall  be  at  Liberty  at  any  time,  and  for 
the  use  of  pew-holders,  one-half  Day  for  funeral  Services. 

Art.  13th.  This  Constitution  may  be  Revised  at  any  annual  meet- 
ing, by  a  majority  of  two-thirds  of  the  Voters  who  may  be  present  at 
said  meeting.  Said  meeting  shall  be  notified  four  weeks  previous  to 
said  day.  Notice  Shall  be  posted  up  in  said  house  by  an  agent  who 
Shall  be  chosen  for  that  purpose. 

Art.  14th.  Each  denomination  shall  have  [a]  right  to  admit  or 
exclude  any  person  to  or  from  any  private  meeting  agreeable  to  the 
usual  custom  of  said  churches. 

Art.  ijth.  Each  denomination  shall  have  [a]  right  to  use  the 
house  at  any  time  for  yearly  and  Quarterly  meeting. 

Art.  16th.  The  Calvinist  Baptist  church  shall  have  [a]  right  to 
use  said  house  out  of  the  half  [of  the  time]  belonging  to  said  Con- 
gregational church  in  proportion  [to]  what  they  own  in  said   house. 

Art.  i~th.  The  house  shall  be  built  agreeable  to  the  annexed  plan, 
and  shall  be  built  by  the  lowest  bidder  at  auction  by  his  giving  bonds 
to  the  acceptance  [satisfaction]  of  the  [building]  Committee. 

Industry,  [Maine,]  May  17th,  1828.  [Signed] 

Daniel  Shaw.  John   D.  Spaulding. 

William  Cornforth.  Ira  Emery. 

Samuel  Shaw.  Henry  Luce. 

True  Remick.  Joseph   Viles. 

Peter  W.  Willis.  Rufus  Viles,  Jr. 

James  Stevens.  Samuel   Daggett. 


224  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

Matthew   Benson.  Menzir  Boardman.* 

Hiram   Manter.  James  Manter. 

Isaac    Norton.  John  S.  Bradbury. 

John  Gott.  Zebulon   Manter. 

Benjamin  Manter.  James  Thompson. 

Peter  West.  Jabez  Norton. 

David  Luce.  Leonard  Luce. 
Benjamin  C.  Norton. 

The  signers  of  this  constitution  are  all  dead  (1887)  and  no 
record  of  their  transactions  as  a  society  is  to  be  found.  The 
house  was  built  on  contract  by  John  Gott,  of  Industry,  for  one 
thousand  dollars.  Mr.  Gott  was  an  excellent  workman,  and  so 
long  as  it  stood  the  house  was  a  worthy  monument  to  the 
honor  and  integrity  of  its  builder.  The  excellence  of  the 
material  used,  and  the  superiority  of  its  construction,  were  the 
constant  admiration  of  all. 

Although  the  society  was  organized  in  the  spring  of  1828, 
the  house  was  not  erected  until  the  following  year.  It  was 
completed  near  the  close  of  December,  i82(j,f  and  dedicated 
in  the  month  of  February  following. 

The  completion  and  dedication  of  this  house  was  an  impor- 
tant event  to  those  interested  in  the  enterprise;  but  of  the 
dedicatory  exercises  the  writer  has  been  able  to  gather  but  little 
worthy  of  note.      The   number    present    on    that    occasion   was 


*This  is  the  identical  person  whose  name  Hon.  Francis  G.  Butler  (History  of 
Farmington,  p.  j6/J  spells"  Melzer."  Undoubtedly  Mr.  Boardman's  christian  name 
had  its  origin  in  the  old  Scripture  name,  Melzer,  but  he  did  not  so  spell  it  in  1828, 
when  he  affixed  his  name  to  the  constitution  of  the   Industry  North    Meeting-House. 

t  From  a  memorandum  in  the  day-book  of  Hiram  Manter,  Esq.  This  date  cor- 
responds with  the  recollection  of  Major  James  Cutts,  who  writes  the  author  as  follows : 
"\1\  lather  moved  to  Industry  in  1829.  I  was  in  my  twentieth  year.  The  church 
was  built  that  fall  or  early  in  the  winter."'  Stephen  Allen,  D.  D.,  thinks  it  was 
dedicated    in  1828  or  lS^y,  hut  does  not  seem  to  lie  positive  as  to  the  exact  date. 

Major  Cutts  further  says,  in  regard  to  the  house,  "It  was  remodeled — the  gallery 
cut  down  in  1 862,  and  a  hell-tower  built  in  1S04.  My  brother,  Capt.  Oliver  Cults, 
sent  a  hell  to  me  with  the  request  that  1  present  it  to  the  societies  worshipping  there. 
I  wish  to  add  that  thirty-four  years  had  elapsed  since  the  house  was  first  dedicated, 
and  on  both  occasions  the  house  was  packed  to  its  utmost  capacity.  I  was  present 
on  both  occasions,  and  on  presenting  the  hell,  I  asked  all  in  the  congregation  who 
were  present  at  the  first  dedication  to  rise;    there  were  hut  six  present  beside  myself!  " 


EVENTS  FROM  1S10  TO  1830.  225 

very  large,  and  the  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Obed  Wilson, 
of  Bingham,  Me.,  a  local  preacher  of  talent  and  ability.*  Rev. 
James  Warren  was  "preacher  in  charge"  at  that  time,  but  his 
part  in  the  exercises  is  unknown.  Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  in 
the  incredibly  short  period  of  eight  years  the  inhabitants  of 
Industry  erected  three  churches,  costing  in  the  aggregate  not 
far  from  $3,000,  and  that,  too,  without  incurring  any  indebted- 
ness. 


*  Obed  Wilson,  son  of  Oliver  ami  Sarah  (Haywood)  Wilson,  was  born  in  Nor- 
ridgewock,  Me.,  Oct.  15,  1778.  He  was  converted  in  1804  or  1805,  and  soon  after 
began  to  preach.  He  was  a  man  of  much  natural  ability  and  an  eloquent  speaker. 
He  died  in  Skowhegan,  Me.,  Nov.  18,  1840,  aged  62  years,  1  month  and  j  days. 


CHAPTER    XII. 

POST-OFFICES,  REMINISCENCES   OF    JOHN  MASON,  AND 
CORRESPONDENCE  OF  CAPT.  JERUEL   BUTLER. 

Lack  of  Postal  Facilities. — High  Rates  of  Postage. — First  Post-Office  Established. — 
Jonathan  Goodridge  Appointed  Post-Master. — Mail  Brought  from  Farmington. — 
Mail  from  Stark  (  )nce  a  Week. — Mail  Route  Changed. — Mail  Received  via 
New  Sharon. —  lames  Davis  Appointed  Post-Master. — Other  Post-Masters. — 
Industry  Post-Office  Changed  to  Allen's  Mills. — Post-Office  Established  at  West's 
Mills. — Esq.  Peter  West  Appointed  Post-Master. — Lower  Rates  of  Postage. — 
Stamps  first  Used. — Era  of  Cheap  Postage  Begins. — Rates  Fixed  According  to 
Weight  Instead  of  Distance.— Other  Post-Masters  at  West's  Mills.— Glass  "Call- 
Boxes"  First  Introduced. — Mail  Carriers. — Change  of  Time. — Industry  Gets  a 
Daily  Mail   from   Farmington. — North   Industry  Post-Ofhce,  Etc. 

FOR  many  years  after  its  settlement  the  town  of  Industry 
was  wholly  destitute  of  postal  facilities.  Indeed  the  present 
complicated  and  efficient  system  of  mail  service  was  then  in  its 
infancy.  If  any  resident  of  the  town  found  it  necessary  to 
communicate  with  friends  or  acquaintances  living  at  a  distance, 
the  letter  must  needs  be  sent  to  a  post-office  in  some  neighbor- 
ing town.  Then,  too,  it  required  considerable  time  for  a  letter 
to  reach  its  destination,  however  short  the  distance  might  be. 
The  rates  of  postage  were  so  extremely  dear  that  letters  of 
friendship  were  seldom  written,  save  by  those  in  affluent  circum- 
stances. Consequently  the  inconveniences  resulting  from  the 
remoteness  of  a  post-office  may  not  have  been  so  keenly  felt  in 
those  days  as  they  would   be  at  the  present  time. 

When  the  town  was  incorporated  six  cents  was  the  smallest 
fee  charged  for  a  single  letter,  and  this  increased  up  to  twenty- 
five  cents  for  carrying  one  of  equal  weight  a  distance  of  four 
hundred  and  f\(ty  miles.      These  continued  with  slight  variations 


POST- OFFICES,  ETC.  2  2  7 

up  to  1 8 16,  at  which  time  the  rates  charged  were  six  cents  for 
any  distance  less  than  thirty  miles,  ten  cents  for  eight}'  miles, 
twelve  and  one-half  cents  for  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles, 
eighteen  and  one-half  cents  for  four  hundred  miles,  and  twenty- 
five  cents  for  a  greater  distance.  Early  in  the  year  just  men- 
tioned, an  effort  was  made  to  establish  a  post-office  at  the 
centre  of  the  town,  and  the  names  of  Jonathan  Goodridge  and 
Bartlett  Allen  were  presented  as  candidates  for  the  position  of 
post-master.  Timothy  Johnson,  then  post-master  at  Farm- 
ington,  wrote  a  letter  bearing  date  of  June  12,  18 16,  to  the 
authorities  in  Washington,  stating  that  "Jonathan  Goodridge 
and  Bartlett  Allen,  living  near  the  centre  of  the  town,  are 
respectable  men  and  capable  of  making  good  post-masters." 
He  further  stated  that  Mr.  Goodridge  was  a  strong  supporter 
of  the  government,  while  Mr.  Allen,  the  other  candidate,  was 
not  in  sympathy  with  the  administration.  The  office  was 
established  Oct.  12,  18 16,  and  took  for  its  name  that  of  the 
town  in  which  it  was  located.  With  the  customary  partizan 
spirit  manifested  by  the  dominant  political  party,  Mr.  Goodridge 
received  the  appointment.  This  office,  when  first  established, 
was  supplied  from  Farmington,  but  subsequently  a  mail  was 
received  once  a  week  from  Stark.*  Still  later  the  route  was 
changed,  and  the  mail  was  brought  from  New  Sharon  via 
Winslow's  Corner  to  Davis's  [now  Goodridge's]  Corner,  once  a 
week.  When  the  office  at  West's  Mills  was  established,  the 
route  was  extended  to  that  place,  and  from  thence  to  the  office 
at  East  New  Vineyard.  James  Davis,  Sr.,  having  erected  a 
store  and  entered  trade  at  the  Corner  which  for  many  years 
bore  his  name,  was  Mr.  Goodridge's  successor  as  post-master, 
and  conducted  the  office  in  connection  with  his  mercantile 
business.  After  a  continuous  service  of  more  than  eighteen 
years,  Mr.  Davis  was  succeeded  by  Gen.  Nathan  Goodridge,  a 
son  of  Jonathan  Goodridge,  previously  mentioned.  Gen.  Good- 
ridge was  a  man  much  respected  by  his  townsmen,  and  filled 
the   position   of    post-master  acceptably   for   many  years.      He 


*  The  writer  gained  this  information  from  Truman,  son  of  Bartlett  Allen. 


228 


HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY 


was  commissioned  three  times  under  different  administrations, 
and  was  holding  the  office  at  the  time  of  his  death.  In  the 
interim  several  persons,  including  Deacon  Ira  and  Mark  Em- 
ery, held  the  office  for  longer  or  shorter  periods,  according  to 
the  length  of  time  their  party  was  in  the  ascendency.  During 
all  these  years  the  office  remained  in  the  vicinity  of  the  spot 
where  it  was  first  established,  with  the  exception  of  a  little  more 
than  a  year  and  a  half  when  Samuel  R.  Allen  was  post-master. 
Mr.  Allen  was  appointed  March  6,  1863,  and  the  office  was 
thereupon  removed  to  Allen's  Mills  and  kept  in  the  house 
recently  occupied  by  Wm.  H.  Johnson,  although  its  name 
remained  unchanged.  Mr.  Allen  was  a  popular  official,  but 
the  change  in  location  was  strongly  opposed,  and  on  his  removal 
from  town  Gen.  Nathan  Goodridge  was  appointed  his  successor 
and  the  office  was  again  established  in  the  vicinity  of  its 
original  site.  Strenuous  efforts  were  frequently  made,  how- 
ever, to  secure  its  permanent  location  at  Allen's  Mills,  but 
without  avail.  After  the  death  of  Gen.  Goodridge,  Hovey 
Thomas  was  appointed  to  fill  the  vacancy,  and  continued  in 
office  until  the  fall  of  1879,  when,  by  mutual  consent,  the 
office  was  removed  to  Allen's  Mills  and  the  name  changed  to 
that  of  the  village  in  which  it  was  located.  The  following  is 
a  list  of  the  persons  who  have  held  the  office  of  post-master 
of  the  Industry  and  Allen's  Mills  post-office,  with  date  of  ap- 
pointment : 


INDUSTRY    POST-OFFICE. 


Jonathan  Goodridge, 
James   Davis, 
Nathan  Goodridge, 
Ira  Emery, 
Nathan  Goodridge, 
Mark   Emery, 
Samuel   R.  Allen, 
Nathan  Goodridge, 
Hovey  Thomas, 


Date  of  Appoii 

ltmcnt 

Octoher   12, 

1 8 1 6 

June    i(>. 

1S21 

November   20, 

•839 

June   29, 

.  84 . 

July   29, 

1845 

December    15, 

1856 

March   6. 

1863 

October   7, 

1 864 

September  27, 

1871 

POST-OFFICES,  ETC.  229 

CHANGED   TO   ALLEN'S    MILLS,  OCTOBER    24.    1 8  79. 

POST-MASTERS  : 

Name.  Date  of  Appointment. 

Moses   M.  Luce,  October  24,  1879. 

Herbert  B.Luce,  September  28,  18X1. 

Elbridge  H.  Rackliff,  August   17,  1889. 

The  office  at  West's  Mills  was  established  March  8,  1828, 
and  first  kept  in  Esquire  Peter  West's  store,  he  having  been 
appointed  post-master.  His  son,  John  West,  succeeded  him  in 
1839,  but  held  the  office  less  than  two  years.  The  inaugura- 
tion of  William  Henry  Harrison,  president,  in  1 841,  caused  a 
change  in  the  political  character  of  the  government,  and  im- 
mediately after  steps  were  taken  to  secure  the  appointment  of 
Jesse  Thing  to  succeed  Mr.  West.  At  that  time  Mr.  Thing 
lived  in  a  house  just  north  of  where  Charles  M.  Hilton's  store 
now  (1892)  stands.  He  was  appointed  July  10,  1841,  and 
removed  the  office  to  his  house,  where  it  was  kept  during  his 
term  of  service,  which  terminated  July  24,  1845,  by  tne  appoint- 
ment of  John  West  Manter  as  his  successor.  During  a  portion 
of  his  term  of  office  Mr.  Manter  was  in  trade  with  his  brother 
Peter,  in  the  store  built  by  Moses  Tolman,  Jr.,  (see  p.  197)  and 
here  the  office  was  kept.  The  letters  were  kept  exposed  to  the 
public  view  on  a  bulletin  board,  and  held  in  place  by  a  narrow 
tape  tacked  across  it  at  regular  intervals:  These  letters  were 
accessible  to  all  who  called  at  the  store,  yet  it  is  believed  none 
were  ever  taken  by  other  than  their  legitimate  owners.  In 
1849  Mr.  Thing  was  re-appointed  and  kept  the  office  in  his 
store.  While  Mr.  Thing  was  in  office  an  important  change 
occurred  in  the  rates  of  postage.  The  rates  had  been  much 
simplified  in  1845,  by  making  the  fee  five  cents  for  any  dis- 
tance under  three  hundred  miles,  and  any  distance  greater  than 
that  ten  cents.  In  1847  stamps  were  introduced,  and  the  rates 
fixed   according    to    weight    instead  of  distance.*      The   era   of 


*  Prior  to  the  introduction  of  postage  stamps,  the  pre-payment  of  postage  was 
optional  with  the  sender,  who  could  either  pay  it  in  advance  or  allow  the  sum  due  to 
be  collected  of  the  person  to  whom  the  missive  was  addressed. 

29 


230  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

* 

cheap  postage  really  dates  from  1851,  when  the  rate  on  prepaid 
letters  was  made  three  cents  for  an)7  distance  within  3000  miles. 
Mr.  Thing  held  the  office  a  few  days  over  three  years,  when 
he  was  succeeded  by  Cyrus  N.  Hutchins.  No  one  held  the 
office  any  length  of  time  after  Mr.  Thing,  until  Nov.  10,  1854, 
when  Peter  W.  Butler  was  appointed  to  fill  the  position.  Mr. 
Butler  was  a  carpenter  and  wheelwright  by  trade,  and  kept  the 
office  in  one  corner  of  his  shop  which  was  partitioned  off  for 
that  purpose.  He  gave  general  satisfaction  to  his  constituents 
and  held  the  office  until  1 861 ,  when  the  administration  changed 
and  the  business  passed  into  the  hands  of  Elbridge  H.  Rackliff. 
Mr.  Rackliff  fitted  up  a  convenient  office  in  one  end  of  the 
Tolman  store,  and  sold  stationery  and  conducted  an  extensive 
newspaper  and  periodical  agency  in  connection  with  his  official 
business.  Warren  N.  Willis  was  the  next  appointee  to  fdl  the 
position,  and  the  office  was  removed  to  his  brother's  store, 
where  it  remained  until  the  fall  of  1865,  when,  preparatory  to 
settling  up  his  business  to  go  West,  he  resigned  his  office  in 
favor  of  his  father-in-law,  Asaph  Boyden.  Mr.  Boyden  kept 
his  office  in  Thomas  P.  Patterson's  store  a  short  time  in  the 
winter  of  1866,  but  after  a  brief  period  removed  it  to  his  home, 
where  it  was  kept  for  a  period  of  nearly  thirteen  years.  Mr. 
Boyden  resigned  his  position  in  the  fall  of  1879,  on  account  of 
the  infirmities  of  age,  and  Alonzo  Norton  of  the  firm  of  James 
M.  &  A.  Norton  was  appointed  to  fill  the  vacancy.  A  com- 
modious office  was  fitted  up  in  the  store  of  the  firm,  and  nearly 
a  hundred  glass  call-boxes  were  constructed  and  furnished  to 
the  patrons  of  the  office,  rental  free.  The  excellent  accommo- 
dations, the  central  location  and  the  careful  and  courteous 
manner  in  which  the  duties  of  the  office  were  discharged,  made 
it  very  popular  with  its  patrons  and  largely  increased  its 
receipts.  April  1,  1886,  Charles  M.  Hilton,  having  been 
appointed  post-master,  the  office  was  removed  to  his  store  and 
an  apartment  fitted  up  with  considerable  elaboration  for  its 
reception,  where  it  remained  some  three  years.  Though  much 
had  been  said  in  relation  to  the  civil  service  rules,  by  the 
Republicans,   during    President    Cleveland's   administration,   the 


POST-OFFICES,  ETC. 


31 


more  candid  had  but  little  faith  in  their  pretentions.  No 
sooner  than  fairly  established  in  office  did  President  Harrison 
and  his  coadjutors  commence  a  systematic  course  of  removals 
from  federal  offices  of  the  appointees  of  their  predecessors. 
Among"  the  early  petitions  received  by  the  post-office  depart- 
ment at  Washington,  was  one  asking  the  removal  of  Charles  M. 
Hilton  and  the  appointment  of  Harrison  Daggett  as  post- 
master at  West's  Mills.  Just  previous  to  this,  Mr.  Daggett  had 
gone  into  trade  in  the  Richard  Caswell  store  (see  p.  202),  and 
on  receiving  his  appointment,  immediately  fitted  up  an  apart- 
ment in  his  store  for  the  transaction  of  the  business  of  the 
office.  He  purchased  his  predecessor's  glass  call-boxes,  a  very 
fine  set  numbering  over  1 00,  took  possession  of  the  office,  and 
on  the  13th  day  of  June,  1889,  the  mail  was  delivered  for  the 
first  time  from  the  office  in  its  new  location.  The  new  appointee 
was  not  a  novice  at  the  business,  having  served  as  a  clerk  in 
the  office  nearly  five  years  when  his  uncle,  Alonzo  Norton,  was 
post-master.  Always  courteous  and  obliging  in  his  business 
transactions,  Mr.  Daggett's  popularity  with  the  patrons  of  the 
office  became  an  established  fact  ere  he  had  held  his  position 
many  months.  The  following  persons  have  served  as  post- 
masters at  the  West's  Mills  office: 


Name. 

Peter  West, 
John  West, 
Jesse  Thing, 
John   West  Manter, 
Jesse  Thing, 
Cyrus  N.  Hutchins, 
Benjamin   N.  Willis, 
Peter  West  Willis, 
Peter  West  Butler, 
Elbridge  H.  Rackliff, 
Warren   N.  Willis, 
Asaph  Boyden, 
Alonzo  Norton, 
Charles  M.  Hilton, 
Harrison  Daggett, 


D.itc  ot  Appoin 

merit. 

March  8, 

828. 

October   19,  i 

S39- 

July   10, 

[841 

July   24, 

[845- 

April   27, 

S49. 

May   31, 

[852. 

February   2, 

t«53- 

January    1  1, 

t854. 

November   10, 

§54- 

August  3, 

S61. 

April   26. 

864. 

January   15, 

[866. 

November   7, 

879. 

March    1, 

88b. 

May    16, 

[889. 

-32  HISTORY   OF  INDUSTRY. 

Owing  to  the  destruction  by  fire  of  a  portion  of  the  records 
in  the  P.  ().  Department  at  Washington  but  little  knowledge  of 
the  avenues  through  which  the  Industry  offices  received  their 
mail  or  the  frequency  of  the  trips  can  be  obtained.*  In  1863 
and  for  several  years  thereafter  Moses  Chandler,  of  Temple, 
owned  the  route  and  drove  three  times  a  week,  viz.,  Tuesdays, 
Thursdays  and  Saturdays,  from  Farmington  to  Stark  via  the 
Industry  and  West's  Mills  Tost-Omces,  arriving  at  his  destination 
about  noon, —  making  the  return  trip  the  same  day.  He  was 
succeeded  by  Isaac  Edwards  as  owner  of  the  route.  About 
January  1st,  1866,  the  time  of  arrival  and  departure  of  the  mail 
was  changed  so  as  to  connect  at  Farmington  with  the  out-going 
morning  and  in-coming  evening  train.  By  this  arrangement  the 
mail  left  Farmington  on  Mondays,  Wednesdays  and  Fridays 
after  the  arrival  of  the  evening  train,  reaching  West's  Mills  at 
about  8  o'clock  r.  M.,  and  arriving  at  Stark  about  9.1  5.  Leaving 
Stark  early  the  following  morning  the  mail  reached  Farmington 
in  season  to  depart  on  the  morning  train.  This  arrangement 
proved  a  great  convenience,  for  while  it  existed  a  letter  could  be 
sent  to  or  received  from  Boston  the  same  day  it  was  mailed. 
But  after  a  continuation  of  four  years  it  was  again  changed  and 
the  old  schedule  time  adopted. 

About  1878  the  citizens  of  Stark  petitioned  the  authorities 
at  Washington  to  discontinue  the  three-trip-a-week  route  from 
West's  Mills  to  Stark  and  establish,  instead,  a  daily  mail  route 
from  Madison  Bridge  via  Stark  to  West's  Mills.  The  mail  to 
leave  Madison  Bridge  on  the  arrival  of  the  evening  train  and 
leave  West's  Mills  on  the  following  morning  in  season  to  connect 
with  the  first  out-going  train.  Asaph  Boyden,  who  at  the  time 
was  post-master  at  West's  Mills,  strongly  opposed  the  measure, 
though  the  patrons  of  his  office  generally  favored  it.  The  re- 
sult was  West's  Mills  was  made  the  terminus  of  the  Farmington 
route  and  Stark  got  its  daily  route  from  Madison  Bridge. 

Soon  after  the  post-office  at  West's  Mills  came  into  the  hands 

*  Among  the  early  mail-carriers  was  Fred  Y.  Stewart,  of  Farmington,  who  carried 
the  mail  in  a  two-wheeled  carriage  or  <dg  from  Farmington  to  Norridgewock  via 
Industry  and  Stark  post-offices. 


POST-OFFICES,  ETC.  2$$ 

of  Alonzo  Norton  a  petition  was  sent  to  Washington  asking  that 
a  daily  mail-route  be  established  between  Farmington  and  West's 
Mills.  The  prayer  of  these  petitioners  was  granted,  and  the 
arrangement  went  into  effect  July  I,  1880.  The  change  not 
only  proved  a  great  convenience  to  the  patrons  but  largely  in- 
creased the  receipts  of  the  office. 

On  receiving  its  concession  from  New  Vineyard  in  1844, 
Industry  added  a  third  post-office  to  its  number.  This  office 
was  kept  by  Isaac  Daggett,  in  the  house  recently  owned  and 
occupied  by  his  son,  John  T.  Daggett,  and  comprised  a  portion 
of  the  Industry  post-route,  being  its  northern  terminus.  From 
its  establishment,  December  6,  1827,  to  May  14,  1847,  't  was 
known  as  the  New  Vineyard  Post-Office.  On  the  last  mentioned 
date  the  name  was  changed  to  West  Industry.  This  name 
proved  to  be  a  misnomer,  and  on  the  8th  of  June,  1847,  the 
name  of  the  office  was  changed  to  North  Industry  Mr.  Dag- 
gett continued  to  serve  as  post-master  until  June  8,  1855,  when 
the  office  was  discontinued  for  lack  of  patronage. 

Prior  to  August,  1889,  the  mail  arrived  at  West's  Mills  from 
Farmington  at  1  1  o'clock  A.  M.  and  returned  in  season  to  connect 
with  the  out-going  afternoon  train.  During  the  month  previously 
mentioned  a  change  was  effected  whereby  the  mail  left  West's 
Mills  each  day  (Sundays  excepted)  at  11  o'clock  the  year 
around.  Returning,  it  left  Farmington  from  May  1st  to  Decem- 
ber 1st  on  the  arrival  of  the  evening  train,  and  from  December 
1st  to  May  1st  at  three  o'clock  P.  M.  While  the  summer  arrange- 
ment was  very  convenient,*  the  winter  time-table  could  not  have 
been  more  illy  contrived,  and  the  result  was  frequent  and  vexa- 
tious delays  in  the  delivery  of  important  messages.  This  ar- 
rangement continued  in  force  until  March,  I  891,  when  agreeably 
to  a  strong  petition  the  time  of  leaving  West's  Mills  was  changed 
so  as  to  connect  with  the  out-going  morning  train  at  Farmington. 
Returning,  it  left  Farmington  on  the  arrival  of  the  evening 
train,  reaching  West's  Mills  at  about  8  o'clock  P.  M.     This  time- 


*  Illustrative  of  the  convenience  of  the  summer  arrangement  the  author  will  say 
that  a  letter  post-marked  Washington,  D.  C,  August  7,  iSyo,  was  delivered  to  the 
person  addressed,  at  West's  Mills,  in  just  31  hours. 


234  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

schedule,  which  remains  in  force  the  year  around,  proves  a 
great  convenience  and  enables  the  citizens  of  Industry  to  send 
a  letter  to  Boston  in  about  fourteen  hours,  or  receive  one  from 
that  place  in  the  same  length  of  time. 

CORRESPONDENCE    OF   JOHN    MASON. 

John  Mason,*  a  nephew  of  Samuel  Mason,  came  to  Indus- 
try, Maine,  in  April,  1819.  He  came  from  New  Hampshire 
ami  was  a  descendant  of  John  Mason  who,  in  company  with 
Ferdlnando  Gorges,  received  a  grant  from  the  council  for  New 
England  in  1622  of  a  tract  of  land  extending  east  from  the 
Merrimac  to  the  Kennebec,  and  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Saint 
Lawrence. 

We  give  an  account  of  the  journey  in  his  own  words: 

In  October,  1S1S,  Daniel  Shaw  and  others  induced  Uncle  Samuel 
Mason's  eldest  daughter,  Sophronia,  or  Froney,  as  she  was  called,  to 
come  to  Industry  as  a  teacher.  I  went  into  Industry  the  April  follow- 
ing, when  only  a  little  over  nineteen  years  of  age  —  little  more  than  a 
boy.  I  left  home  with  but  a  small  fortune,  the  larger  share  of  which 
consisted  of  good  health,  a  tolerable  education  and  plenty  of  pluck. 
Previous  to  this  I  had  served  an  apprenticeship  to  a  tanner  and  currier. 
After  I  left  home  I  went  into  Maine  to  seek  my  fortune,  as  I  had  served 
my  apprenticeship  there.  Not  finding  wages  as  good  as  I  anticipated, 
when  I  got  to  Portland,  I  invested  all  my  money  in  such  trinkets  as 
people   must    have,   and   went    to   trading    in    the   back    settlements   of 


*  John  Mason  was  burn  at  Hampton,  New  Hampshire,  July  6,  1799,  and  died  at 
Woodlawn,  near  Accotink,  Fairfax  County,  Virginia,  Friday,  September  21,  1S88.  He 
was  the  son  of  Robert  Tufton  Mason  and  Sarah  Mason,  nee  Gilman.  In  childhood 
he  was  adopted  l>y  his  Aunt  Newman  of  Andover.  On  her  seeond  marriage  he  began 
to  learn  the  tanner's  trade,  but  soon  quit  it  for  a  mereantile  life.  He  married  in  Fast- 
port,  Maine,  September  6,  1827,  Rachel  Fincoln,  daughter  of  <  His  Lincoln.  In  1828 
he  joined  the  Baptist  Church,  in  which  communion  he  remained  a  faithful  deacon 
until  his  death.  In  18  $7-1838  his  fortune  was  wrecked  by  the  great  crisis,  and  in  1840 
he  located  in  Haddonslield,  New  Jersey,  where  he  lived  until  1850  and  then  removed 
to  his  late  residence  at  Woodlawn.  Mr.  Mason  was  a  zealous  reformer  in  schools, 
public  morals  and  religion.  (  In  Monday,  September  24,  1S88,  his  neighbors  thronged 
to  honor  the  departed.  They  placed  an  anchor  of  roses  on  his  breast,  emblem  of  his 
early  life;  a  sheaf  of  wheat  upon  his  folded  hands,  token  of  a  ripened  career.  On 
his  feet  were  palm  branches,  suggestive  of  immortal  rest.  Then  they  laid  him  in  the 
little  cemetery  under  the  very  oak  tree  he  had  selected  to  shade  his  grave. 


CORRESPONDENCE  OF  JOHN  MASON.  235 

Maine.  In  this  peddling  expedition  I  succeeded  very  well,  besides 
affording  me  an  opportunity  to  see  the  country.  After  going  east  of 
the  Kennebec  River  until  my  stock  got  quite  small,  I  came  back  to 
Waterville  ;  stopped  there  some  days  to  see  Moses  Dalton,  a  cousin  to 
my  father,  who  was  away  from  home  with  a  party  exploring  land  in  the 
vicinity  of  Moosehead   Lake,  but  failed  to  see  him. 

As  my  stock  needed  replenishing  I  thought  that  perhaps  I  might 
be  able  to  get  some  goods  at  Norridgewock, — if  not  it  would  take  me 
nearer  to  Portland.  When  I  arrived  at  Norridgewock,  I  found  that  I 
was  but  eleven  miles  from  Industry.  I  knew  that  we  had  relatives 
there  besides  Cousin  Sophronia  Mason  :  The  wives  of  Daniel  Shaw 
and  William  Remick  were  my  mother's  own  cousins;  while  Oilman 
Hilton  and   Rowland   Luce's  wives  were  cousins  to  my  father. 

While  at  Industry  I  attended  a  meeting  and  assisted  in  the  sing- 
ing, for  which  I  had  a  good  talent,  and  could  also  teach  vocal  music. 
This  brought  me  favorably  before  the  people,  and  as  there  was  no  tanner 
or  currier  in  town,  nor  in  any  of  the  towns  back  of  Industry,  they  all 
set  in  for  me  to  settle  there.  I  first  hired  with  Esquire  Peter  West  for 
a  month  and  a  half,  and  commenced  buying  all  the  hides  and  calf  skins 
I  could.  Took  them  to  Henry  Butler's  at  Farmington  Hill  to  have 
them  tanned,  and  worked  with  Mr.  butler  to  pay  for  tanning  them.  I 
also  worked  a  month  in  haying  for  Benjamin  Norton.  After  this  I  went 
to  Boston  by  water,  and  then  to  Andover  to  visit  an  aunt,  who  had 
married  Mark  Newman  for  her  second  husband,  with  whom  I  had  lived 
from  my  seventh  to  my  twelfth  year.  On  my  return  to  Maine  I  was 
employed  by  Berry,  the  tanner,  to  work  at  my  trade,  in  New  Sharon, 
with  Deacon  Ira  Emery  as  my  boss.  Deacon  Emery  invited  me  to 
make  it  my  home  with  him.  We  took  our  pay  for  our  work  at  New 
Sharon  in  leather  out  of  the  tan,  and  I  curried  it.  We  then  hired 
shoemakers  to  work  it  up  together  with  my  stock  at  Farmington  Hill. 
Deacon  Emery  took  his  boots  and  shoes  East,  I  took  mine  to  Boston. 
There  I  met  an  old  school-mate  who  was  in  the  employ  of  a  firm 
engaged  in  the  importation  of  rectified  spirits,  who  wished  me  to 
introduce  their  liquors  into  Maine.  Would  give  me  a  right  good 
chance.  I  refused  at  first,  but  told  him  if  they  would  buy  my  boots 
and  shoes  and  would  make  me  out  an  assortment  of  groceries,  I  would 
try  their  liquors.  They  took  my  stock,  gave  me  a  right  good  price  ; 
some  money  with  a  good  assortment  of  groceries  at  a  low  price.  I 
sent  my  goods  in  a  vessel  to  Hallowell  and  returned  by  the  way  ol 
New    Hampshire.      I   examined    the   records  in   Sandwich,  and   found 


236  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

that  old  blind  Fogg,*  who,  with  his  wife  and  non  compos  daughter  were 
paupers  in  Industry,  had  a  pauper  residence  in  that  town  and  was 
entitled  to  a  support  there. 

The  superior  quality  of  my  liquor  and  other  goods,  together  with 
relieving  the  town  of  the  expense  of  the  Fogg  family,  gained  for  me  a 
strong  affection  in  the  hearts  of  the  people.  Immediately  on  my  return 
from  Boston  1  commenced  the  erection  of  a  building,  near  Deacon 
Ira  Emery's,  20x32  feet,  with  a  basement,  in  which  to  display  my 
goods  and  also  to  serve  as  a  shop  and  dwellingdiouse.  The  day  mi 
which  I  raised  my  building  was  extremely  warm  and  the  men  got  so 
drunk  that  they  could  not  put  the  roof  on.f  That  advertised  my 
liquor,  and  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  I  was  making  nearly  200  per 
cent,  profit  on  it  the  people  said  that  "they  were  glad  that  one  honest 
trader  had  come  into  the  place."  On  the  opening  of  my  store,  there 
were  none  in  successful  operation  in  town.  Everybody  liked  me  ;  my 
educational  and  other  advantages  had  been  superior  to  theirs,  and 
my  musical  talents  soon  gave  me  the  lead  among  the  young  people.  In 
fact,  it  was  the  verdict  of  all  that  there  was  not  a  young  man  in  Somerset 
County  whose  business  prospects  were  more  flattering.  I  had  continued 
the  sale  of  liquor  only  about  ten  months  when  I  became  convinced  of 
its  harmfulness  and  have  ever  since  been  an  active  advocate  of  temper- 
ance principles. 

At  the  time  I  was  engaged  in  trade  it  was  considered  a  perfectly 
honorable  and  legitimate  business  to  retail  ardent  spirits,  and  no  grocery 
dealer  failed   to  keep  a  supply. 

( )wing  to  an  unfavorable  turn  in  a  love  affair,  on  account  of  a  rival 
whom  the  young  lady's  parents  favored,  I  felt  that  I  could  no  longer 
remain  in  a  place  where  everything  seemed  to  remind  me  of  my  dis- 
appointment ;  so,  hastily  settling  up  my  business,  I  went  to  New  Sharon. 
Soon  after  this  I  joined  Esquire  Daniel  Shaw  and  Captain  Benjamin 
Manter,  of  Industry,  in  a  trading  expedition  to  Saint  Andrews.  New 
Brunswick.  We  hired  a  vessel,  got  our  cargo  loaded,  and  sailed  from 
Wiscasset  on  the  night  of  the  13th  of  January.  There  had  been  but 
very  little  rough  weather  thus  far,  but  the  first  day  out  we  encountered 


*  Prior  to  this  date  articles  had  frequently  been  inserted  in  town  meeting  war- 
rants relative  to  a  disposal  of  this  family.  The  overseers  of  the  poor  were  confident 
that  this  town  was  under  no  legal  obligation  for  their  support,  yet  was  unable  to 
establish  the  residence  of  the  family  elsewhere. —  IV.  C.  II. 

t  The  reader  must  recollect  that  in  those  days  it  was  thought  to  be  impossible 
to  raise  a  building  without  "plenty  of  rum,"  and  the  person  who  failed  to  furnish  it 
was  in  no  wise  popular  in  the  community. —  IV.  C.  II. 


CORRESPONDENCE  OE  JOHN  MASON.  237 

a  fearful  storm,  and  the  following  night  was  truly  terrifying.  I  kept 
making  ginger  tea  for  the  men  to  keep  them  from  freezing;  indeed 
some  of  them  did  get  frost-bitten  in  spite  of  my  efforts.  About  mid- 
night the  stoutest  man  on  board  came  below  bellowing,  "  If  I  must  die 
I  will  die  below  deck."  I  looked  up.  Esquire  Shaw  and  Captain 
Manter  were  both  engaged  in  prayer,  while  the  waves  ran  mountains 
high.  I,  too,  felt  very  badly,  and  placing  my  forehead  in  my  hand,  I 
uttered  the  words  of  Christ's  disciples  to  their  Master  :  "  Lord,  save  us  ; 
we  perish,"  and  immediately  my  fears  left  me.  I  broke  open  a  box  of 
clothing,  put  on  several  extra  garments  to  protect  me  from  the  intense 
cold  and  went  on  deck.  There  T  saw  Captain  Manter  seated  on  the 
binacle  hatch,  his  nose  and  ears  frozen.  When  I  saw  this,  the  same 
feeling  of  the  helplessness  of  our  situation  returned.  Again  I  bowed 
my  head  and  uttered  my  former  prayer,  when  my  fears  instantly  van- 
ished. I  offered  to  take  the  captain's  place  at  the  wheel,  but  he  would 
not  consent  to  this  at  first.  When  I  told  him  that  I  knew  what  he 
was  doing,  that  it  was  his  intention  to  take  the  seas  on  the  starboard 
quarter,  for  if  the  vessel  fell  into  the  trough  of  the  sea  she  might  tip 
over,  or  if  she  made  a  plunge  she  might  not  come  up  again, — he  then 
consented  for  me  to  relieve  him  at  the  wheel.  The  only  sail  we  could 
carry  was  the  fore  gaff  lashed  to  the  fore  boom  with  the  throat  hoisted 
up.  The  scene  was  awfully  grand  !  I  sang  as  loud  as  I  could,  to  keep 
the  men's  courage  up  : 

Thy  works  of  glory,  mighty  Lord, 

That  rule  the  boisterous  sea, 
The  sons  of  courage  shall  record, 
Who  tempt  the  dangerous  way. 

At  thy  command  the  winds  arise, 

And  swell  the  towering  waves; 
The  men,  astonished,  mount  the  skies. 

And  sink  in  gaping  graves. 

Again  they  climb  the  watery  hills. 

And  plunge  in  deeps  again  : 
Each  like  a  tottering  drunkard  reels, 

And  finds  his  courage  vain. 

Frighted  to  hear  the  tempest  roar, 

They  pant  with  fluttering  breath; 
And,  hopeless  of  the  distant  shore, 

Expect  immediate  death. 


Then  to  the  Lord  they  raise  their  cries; 
He  hears  the  loud  request, 


3° 


238  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

And  orders  silence  through  the  skies, 
And  lays  the  floods  to  rest. 

Sailors  rejoice  to  lose  their  fears, 

And  see  the  storm  allayed  : 
Now  to  their  eyes  the  port  appears; 

There,  let  their  vows  he  paid. 

Tis  God  that  brings  them  safe  to  land  : 

Let  stupid  mortals  know, 
That  waves  are  under  his  command, 

And  all  the  winds  that  blow. 

0  that  the  sons  of  men  would  praise 

The  goodness  of  the  Lord  ! 
And  those  that  see  Thy  wondrous  ways, 

Thy  wondrous  love  record. 

Fortunately  our  vessel  outrode  the  gale  and  we  reached  our  destina- 
tion in  safety,  though  many  of  us  suffered  from  the  effects  of  frost-bitten 
ears,  noses  and  fingers.  We  had,  as  a  passenger  on  this  eventful  voyage, 
a  son  of  old  Captain  Thompson  of  Industry.* 

The  time  spent  among  the  people  of  Industry  is  among  the  most 
pleasant  memories  of  my  long  and  eventful  life,  and  I  often  think  it  was 
the  great  mistake  of  my  life  in  leaving  the  town.  The  saying  of,  I  think, 
Shakespeare  has  often  occurred  to  me:  "There  is  a  time  of  tide  in 
man's  life  if  taken  on  the  flood  leads  on  to  wealth  and  fame.  That 
time  lost  all  is  lost,  you  can  not  recall  that  time."  It  was  certainly  Hood 
tide  with  me  while  there,  especially  in  regard  to  the  good  will  of  the 
people.  Just  prior  to  my  departure  I  received  a  long  letter  from  my 
merchants  is  Boston  advising  me  to  enlarge  my  business  to  the  fullest 
extent  which  the  country  would  bear.  Had  I  remained  in  Industry  I 
should  have  hired  Esquire  West's  store  and  filled  it  from  cellar  to  garret, 
so  as  to  wholesale  as  well  as  retail.  I  have  an  idea,  had  I  remained, 
that  I  might  have  been  elected  to  the  Legislature  in  1822  and  perhaps 
reached  the  State  Senate  in  1825. 

I  was  of  the  opinion  that  West's  Mills  would  eventually  become  the 
outlet  for  all  the  back  towns  in  going  to  Hallowell  and  to  a  market. 
Moreover  the  village  at  Farmington  Falls  was  down  Hat.  I  saw  all  its 
mills  go  sailing  down  the  Sandy  River  in  the  great  freshet  of  xS2i.f 


*  This  was  probably  Captain  John  Thompson's  second  son  William,  who,  when 
a  young  man,  went  to  the  British  Provinces,  where  he  married  and  raised  up  a  family. 
—  IV.  C.  H. 

t  llutler  gives  the  date  of  this  freshet  as  1S20  (Hist,  of  Farmington,  />.  rjj) 
which  is  unquestionably  correct.      He  also  gives  the  month  and  day  as  October  16th, 


CORRESPONDENCE  OE  CAPTAIN  BUTLER.  239 

There  were  five  in  one  fleet  ;  three  were  stove  by  the  New  Sharon  bridge 
while  the  fourth,  a  very  large  one,  took  the  bridge  along  with  it.  As 
this  had  usually  been  the  thoroughfare  to  Hallowell  the  calamity  just 
mentioned  would  have  had  a  tendency  to  turn  the  travel  from  the  back 
towns  in  another  channel,  and  through  West's  Mills  seemed  to  be  the 
most  feasible  route. 

CORRESPONDENCE  OF  CAPT.  JERUEL  BUTLER. 

Some  years  since  the  author  .had  placed  at  his  disposal  a 
package  of  old  letters  possessing  great  intrinsic  interest.  They 
were  written  by  Captain  Jeruel  Butler  to  his  wife  and  family 
during  the  time  he  was  engaged  in  an  extensive  coast  and 
foreign  trade,  and  in  many  instances  were  of  such  thrilling 
interest  that  the  writer  feels  constrained  to  make  some  excerpts 
therefrom.  Capt.  Butler  was  a  sea  captain,  a  native  of  Martha's 
Vineyard,  and  an  early  settler  in  that  part  of  New  Vineyard  set 
off  to  Industry  in  1844.  The  farm  on  which  he  settled  lies  at 
the  terminus  of  the  road  running  north  from  Tibbetts's  Corner, 
and  has  been  known  of  late  years  as  the  John  O.  Rackliff  farm. 

Boston,  Mass.,  April  10th,  18 19. 
I  left  Bath  [Me.]  last  Wednesday  and  arrived  at  Portland  the  same 
day.  On  Friday  at  8  o'clock  a.  m.  left  Portland  and  in  eight  hours  and 
eight  minutes  I  came  to  anchor  in  Boston  harbor.  I  do  not  know  what 
to  write  or  say  to  comfort  you  ;  we  are  here  in  the  hurry  and  confusion 
of  the  great  city  of  Boston.  The  chiming  of  bells  and  the  sound  of  the 
coach  wheels  on  the  pavements  often  salute  our  ears. 

Boston,  Mass.,  June  10th,  18 19. 
I  have  this  moment  arrived  from   Providence,   Rhode  Island.     All 
well,  full  freight  and  a  pleasant  passage.     Shall  sail  for  Hallowell  [Me.] 
weather  permitting  on  Saturday  the  19th  instant. 

Bath,  Me.,  Sept.  14th,  1819. 
I  have  been  detained  here  for  two  days  by  head  winds.     I  shall 
sail  this  afternoon  if  the  weather  clears.     I  am  well  and  hope  these  lines 


on  page  314.  On  that  day  the  Selectmen  of  New  Sharon  issued  their  warrant  for  a 
meeting  to  see  what  measures  the  town  would  take  relative  to  re-building  the  bridge 
across  Sandy  River.  This  clearly  shows  the  correctness  of  Mr.  Butler's  date  and 
proves  Mr.  Mason  to  have  been  slightly  in  error. —  IV.  C.  H. 


240  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

will  lind  vim  enjoying  the  same  blessing.  The  salt  which  1  sent  you  by 
Lovejoy  you  will  keep  for  your  own  use,  letting  Mrs.  Roach  have  half  a 
bushel.      Mr.  Roach*   is  well  and  desires  to  be  remembered. 

Wilmington,  N.  C,  Nov.  12th.  1  s  1 9 . 

I  have  thought  that  it  might  be  of  interest  to  you  to  read  a  statement 
of  my  voyage  from  Portsmouth.  After  landing  Charles, f  1  got  under 
wax  and  put  to  sea  ;  ran  out  about  eight  leagues  when  the  weather  be- 
came so  bad  that  1  put  back  ami  came  to  anchor  in  Portsmouth  before 
night. 

(  )i  t.  30TH.  Went  to  sea  in  company  with  one  hundred  sail  of  ves- 
sels, (jet.  31st,  past  Holmes  Hole  with  fresh  gales  from  N.  E.,  did  not 
stop  but  went  to  sea  that  night.  From  the  1st  to  the  4th  of  November 
southerly  winds  and  had  weather.  On  the  4th  I  had  a  violent  squall 
with  wind  W.  N.  W.  which  terminated  in  a  severe  gale  that  lasted 
thirty-six  hours.  During  the  first  twenty  hours  I  made  210  miles.  The 
sea  then  became  so  bad  that  I  hove  to  after  shipping  a  sea  that  stove  my 
weather  waist-boards.  After  the  gale  was  over  it  was  calm  lor  about 
four  hours  and  then  commenced  blowing  a  gale  from  the  South.  This 
wind  brought  me  to  the  east  coast  of  North  Carolina  in  twenty  fathoms 
of  water.  On  the  8th  of  November  1  past  the  outer  shoal  of  Hatteras 
in  five  fathoms  of  water.  I  saw  four  green  turtles  ;  into  one  of  these  I 
hove  a  harpoon,  but  as  the  vessel  was  going  very  fast  it  tore  out.  I 
caught  a  porpoise  that  made  two  gallons  of  oil.  On  the  9th,  10th  and 
11th  of  November  it  was  a  dead  calm  and  as  warm  as  any  weather  we 
had  last  summer.  The  rays  of  the  sun  seemed  to  almost  burn.  On 
Wednesday  the  10th  I  made  Cape  Fear  ;  it  was  the  first  land  I  saw  after 
leaving  Block  Island. 

While  I  was  becalmed  we  caught  nearly  one  hundred  black  fish,  oi 
the  same  kind  we  used  to  catch  in  Vineyard  Sound.  After  beating  oil 
Cape  Fear  till  Friday  the  12th  at  11  a.  m.,  with  the  wind  dead  ahead.  1 
bore  up  and  ran  into  Wilmington,  N.  C.  I  shall  sail  again  for  Charles 
ton  the  first  fair  wind.  I  am  in  good  health  and  have  a  good  crew  but 
a  poor  scamp  for  a  mate.  I  shall  turn  him  on  shore  as  soon  as  I  get  to 
Charleston.  He  is  the  most  indolent  sleepy-head  1  ever  saw.  I  find 
the  Atlantic  as  rough  as  ever. 

Charleston,  S.  C.  Dec.  12th,  1819. 
I  have  been  one  trip  to  Savannah  as  you  will  see   by  the  letters  and 


*The  gentleman  here  referred  to  was  probably  Capt.  William  Roach,  who  lived 
near  Captain  lUitler's,  on  the  farm  recently  owned  by  Benjamin  Tibbetts. —  IV.  C.  //. 
t  His  son  is  probably  the  person  here  referred  to. —  IV.  C.  11. 


CORRESPONDENCE  OE  CAPTAEV  HEELER.  241 

papers  from  that  place.     Savannah  remains  sickly  ;  about  sixteen  white 

people  die  per  day.      I  was  there  only  four  days  and  fifty-one  new  -raves 

were  made  in  that  time.      In  one  instance  three  coffins  were  put  into  one 

grave. 

Savannah,  Ga.,  Dec.  19,  18 19. 

I  arrived  here  yesterday  in  fourteen  hours  from  Charleston.  Just 
before  I  left  there  I  gave  Perley  Wood  twenty  Spanish  dollars  for  you. 
He  will  leave  them  with  Uncle  Shubael's  wife  [Mrs.  West].  I  did  not 
send  them  because  I  thought  you  needed  the  money,  but  as  a  token 
of  my  esteem.  For  the  last  four  days  the  weather  has  been  cool  but 
nothing  like  a  frost.  Business  remains  dull  here,  and  will  until  we 
have  rains  to  rise  the  rivers.  I  brought  a  passenger,  by  the  name  of 
Butler,  from  Charleston,  who  is  said   to  be  worth  two  million  dollars. 

New  York,  March  31,  1820. 

1  wrote  you  on  my  arrival  here  and  stated  that  1  had  been  robbed 
in  Havana  dc  Cuba  of  about  S3 10.  I  left  Mobile  on  the  19th  of 
February  and  put  to  sea  on  the  morning  of  the  21st,  having  on  board 
two  passengers  who  had  every  appearance  of  a  gentleman  and  con- 
ducted themselves  as  such  during  the  whole  passage.  One  day  after 
we  had  been  out  some  time  they  stated  to  me  that  they  had  unsettled 
business  of  some  consequence  in  Havana,  and  if  I  would  stop  there 
and  get  some  water  (of  which  I  stood  in  need  by  so  long  delay  by 
head  winds)  they  would  pay  port  charges  and  after  one  day  would  pay 
twenty-five  dollars  for  each  day  that  I  should  lie  detained  ;  and  would 
put  on  board  ninety  bags  of  coffee,  »S:c.  On  the  last  day  of  February, 
as  we  were  beating  in  the  gulf  of  Florida,  we  made  the  island  of  Cuba. 
It  was  blowing  a  heavy  gale  at  N.  E.  by  N.,  with  bad  weather.  I  stood 
in  for  the  land  till  five  P.  M.,  at  which  time  we  were  within  five  leagues 
of  the  Island.  However,  as  I  did  not  know  the  particular  place,  I 
tacked  ship  and  stood  off  till  two  o'clock  on  the  first  of  March,  when 
I  stood  in  for  Cuba  with  a  strong  gale  from  E.  N.  E.  and  a  bad  sea. 
At  daylight  I  saw  the  high  mountains  of  Cuba,  and  at  9  a.  m.  made  the 
Moro  Castle.  The  gale  was  heavy,  and  I  called  a  council  and  got  a 
unanimous  vote  in  favor  of  making  a  harbor.  I  wrote  a  protest  and 
had  it  signed  by  a  major  part  of  the  crew  and  passengers.  At  1  p.  m. 
I  came  to  an  anchor  in  the  port  of  Havana.  At  5  p.  m.  on  the  same 
day  I  was  permitted  to  land.  The  next  day  I  was  invited  to  dine  on 
shore  and  had  a  splendid  dinner, — green  peas,  string  beans,  cucumbers, 
melons,  green  corn  and  many  tropical  fruits,  together  with  seven  dishes 
of  meat  victuals.  It  was  a  good  dinner  indeed — but  alas  !  I  had  to  pay 
the  pirates  who  invited  me  too  dear  for  it.     These  pirates,  my  passen- 


242  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

gers,  had  undoubtedly  selected  my  vessel  at  Mobile  for  their  piratical 
purposes,  as  they  knew  by  information  which  they  obtained  in  Mobile 
thai  she  was  the  fastest  sailer  in  that  port.  They  were  well  prepared, 
with  pistols  and  other  arms,  to  take  the  vessel  whenever  they  pleased 
and  kill  the  crew  and  myself.  From  some  cause  or  other,  unknown  to 
me.  they  changed  their  plans  and  concluded  to  rob  me  of  as  much  as 
they  could  and  let  me  go  alive.  Perceiving  that  I  had  confidence  in 
them,  they  asked  me  if  I  could  speak  the  Spanish  language,  and  I  told 
them  I  could  not.  They  said  that  they  would  grant  me  any  aid  I 
should  wish,  as  they  were  well  acquainted  with  the  place  and  with  the 
language.  ( )n  March  2d  I  went  on  shore  to  report  my  vessel  and  get 
water.  At  10  a.  m.  one  of  them  came  to  me  and  asked  me  to  change 
an  ounce  of  gold,  as  he  was  out  of  small  change.  I  told  him  that 
there  was  a  small  loss  on  gold  ;  he  said,  "  then  lend  me  ten  Spanish 
dollars  and  I  will  hand  them  back  this  day."  I  did  so.  Soon  after, 
while  I  was  transacting  my  business,  he  came  to  me  and  asked,  "  Have 
you  any  American  bank  bills  that  you  wish  to  change  for  Spanish  dol- 
lars?" I  answered,  "Yes."  "Come  with  me,"  he  said,  •"and  you  can 
have  them  changed."  So  I  went  with  him  to  a  store  where  he  spoke  to 
the  clerk  in  Spanish  and  then  told  me  that  the  man  had  gone  out  to 
another  store,  so  we  went  there,  and,  as  he  said,  did  not  find  him. 
(The  fact  is,  he  did  not  wish  to  find  anybody,  it  being  his  plan  to  draw 
my  money  from  me.)  He  then  said,  "Sir,  if  you  please  I  will  take  the 
bills  ;  I  shall  see  him  soon  and  will  get  them  changed  with  the  greatest 
pleasure."  Having  the  fullest  confidence  in  him,  I  counted  him  out 
the  money.  He  was  as  compliant,  likelydooking  and  well-behaved  a  man 
as  I  ever  saw.  His  name  was  "  Deek  "  or  Daniel  Boster.  Soon  after 
this  the  other  German,  named  William  Datche,*  came  on  board  and 
went  into  his  state-room  where  all  their  trunks  were  kept,  and  packed 
all  the  best  of  their  clothing  in  his  trunks.  He  then  took  some  clothes 
tied  up  in  a  handkerchief  and  carried  them  ashore  to  be  washed,  as  he 
stated.  The  next  morning  he  returned  and  said  that  he  should  stop 
in  Havana,  as  he  could  not  get  through  with  his  business  as  soon  as  he 
expected,  and  took  his  trunks  ashore.  I  went  with  him  to  receive  90 
bags  of  (  offee  which  was  to  come  on  board.  I  went  and  saw  the  coffee 
in  a  lighter.  He  spoke  to  the  negroes  in  Spanish,  and  then  told  me 
that  the  toffee  would  be  off  at  11  a.  m.  I  went  on  board  to  receive  it, 
but   it  did   not  come.     The   following  evening   Captain  Watts,  of  Hal- 


*  There  is  some  uncertainty  regarding  the  orthography  of  these   names,  as  they 
are  very  indistinct  in  the  original  manuscript. 


CORRESPONDENCE  OE  CAPTAIN  BUTLER.  243 

lowell,  told  me  that  one  of  his  passengers  from  New  ( Means  told  him,  that 
these  two  men  were  agents  for  the  pirates  ;  and  that  they  had  absconded 
from  New  Orleans  and  were  on  piratical  business,  and  cautioned  me  to 
look  out  for  them.  This  gave  me  the  alarm,  and  early  the  next  morn- 
ing I  went  on  shore  and  went  to  their  lodgings,  found  them  both  in 
bed.  I  called  for  my  money  and  they  both  seemed  sorry  that  I  should 
doubt  them.  They  both  sprang  up  and  dressed  themselves  and  one 
said  he  would  go  with  me  and  get  the  money.  I  went  out  with  him 
and  soon  found  things  were  wrong.  The  stores  were  not  generally 
open,  however,  so  they  said  they  would  settle  with  me  at  9  o'clock. 
When  9  o'clock  came  they  were  gone.  I  went  to  the  Alcaid  officer  and 
got  a  search  warrant,  two  officers  and  an  interpreter  and  searched  for 
them  some  hours,  till  I  was  tired,  worn  out  and  almost  mad.  A  Span- 
iard came  to  me  and  said.  "  Are  you  Captain  Butler  of  the  Sea  Flower?" 
I  replied  in  the  affirmative.  He  said,  "  I  wish  to  speak  with  you." 
He  then  told  me  that  Boster  and  Datche  knew  that  I  was  in  search  of 
them  and  that  they  could  and  would  keep  out  of  my  way.  They  had 
lost  my  money  at  billiards  the  night  before,  but  had  got  more  and 
would  now  pay  if  I  would  go  with  him  some  two  miles  to  the  place 
where  they  were  hid.  I  went  and  found  them  in  a  small  upper  room 
of  a  store-house.  My  guide  left  me  with  them  and  we  began  and  com- 
pleted the  writings  for  a  final  settlement.  Receipts  were  wrote  and  a 
bottle  of  wine  was  brought  in  for  a  friendly  drink.  One  of  the  men 
put  his  hands  in  his  pockets,  to  take  out  the  money,  as  I  supposed,  and 
drew  two  pistols  therefrom  and  pointing  them  at  my  breast  said,  "  Sub- 
mission or  death."  I  said,  "don't  fire;"  I  saw  that  death  was  in  his 
countenance.  I  looked  towards  the  door.  It  was  shut  and  the  other 
man  stood  by  it  with  a  sword  and  a  dirk.  The  man  with  the  pistols 
said,  "  Sign  that  receipt  or  die, — and  quick  too."  Finding  I  had  no 
retreat,  I  took  the  pen  and  signed  the  receipt  without  receiving  one 
cent.  The  door  was  then  opened  and  I  was  conducted  down  stairs  to 
the  outer  door.  One  of  them,  in  the  presence  of  the  guide,  gave  me  a 
watch  and  said,  "  Captain,  we  make  you  a  present  of  this  watch."  As 
soon  as  I  got  on  the  street  again  I  exclaimed,  "  I  have  been  robbed  in 
that  house,"  but  all  were  Spaniards  and  no  one  understood  me.  1  got 
the  officers  and  renewed  my  search,  but  to  no  effect.  Business  went 
well  with  me  till  this  time,  but  since  then  I  have  been  the  most  dis- 
couraged that  I  ever  was.  I  wish  I  was  at  home,  but  hope  I  shall 
have  fortitude  and  wisdom  to  guide  me  aright  in  this  hour  of  affliction. 
I  never  before  felt  the  need  of  friends  so  much  to  console  me  and 
soften  my  cares. 


244  HISTORY  (>/■'  INDUSTRY. 

Charleston,  S.  C,  May  21st,  1820. 

I  am  coming  home  as  fast  as  the  wind  will  blow  me  along.  I  shall 
come  by  the  way  of  New  York  and  hope  to  be  at  home  soon  after  this 
letter  arrives.  True  I  have  not  earned  as  much  money  as  1  could  wish 
and  have  lost  some  hut  I  have  got  for  myself  and  the  owner  about  one 
peck  of  Spanish  dollars  and  some  gold,  besides  S400.00  in  (taper.  If 
they  will  take  the  cargo  I  can  keep  the  cash  for  my  share.  I  arrived 
here  last  night  from  Darien.  Georgia,  via  Savannah.  1  shall  in  all  prob- 
ability sail  for  New  York  the  last  of  this  week.  Since  1  left  New  York 
I  have  enjoyed  good  health  but  remain  somewhat  depressed  in  spirits  on 
account  of  my  loss.  I  have  got  quite  acclimatized  and  am  as  black  as 
a  Spaniard. 

May  24TH.  I  shall  sail  for  New  York  to-morrow  at  10  a.  m.  I  shall 
have  forty  passengers,  which  pays  well.  There  will  be  thirteen  ladies 
and  eleven  small  children  if  no  changes  are  made. 

Bahama  Islands,  Feb.  5th,  1^,22. 
As  I  passed  Cape  Tiberoon  I  saw  a  piratical  craft, —  a  large  Ameri- 
can schooner.  As  soon  as  she  saw  us  she  bore  up  and  came  so  near 
that  I  could  see  the  color  of  the  crew's  clothes.  I  thought  1  was  gone 
hook  and  line  sure.  However  I  rounded  to  and  fired  my  cannon  into 
them,  and  as  God  would  have  it  they  were  afraid  and  bore  round  and 
stood  off  out  of  sight. 

Mobile,  Ala..  March  2d,  1S22. 

I  arrived  from  sea  February  27th.  1  came  from  St.  Domingo  via 
Rum  Rio,  Bahama,  with  salt.  Have  come  to  a  poor  market.  I  hail 
rough  weather  on  the  coast  and  was  twice  driven  off  by  northern  gales. 
1  made  Mobile  Point  eleven  days  before  I  got  in  over  the  bar.  I  have 
had  the  yellow  fever  and  have  regained  a  reasonable  degree  of  health, 
but  my  flesh  is  all  gone.  I  shall  go  from  here  either  to  Havana  or  to  tin- 
Middle  States  and  will  write  you  before  I  sail.  I  write  this  letter  in  the 
(  ustom-I  louse  and  with  all  the  haste  encumbent  on  human  nature. 

At  St.  Domingo  I  wrote  you  four  letters  and  sent  you  a  journal  of  m) 
voyage;  whether  they  reached  you  or  not  I  can  not  saw  1  am  con- 
vinced that  1  shall  have  a  good  voyage,  for  1  do  believe  I  have  almost 
worried  out  the  Devil  and  his  imps. 

Mobile,  Ala.,  March  8th,  1822. 

I  arrived  here  six  days  ago  with  a  cargo  of  salt  which  belongs  to  me, 

and  it  will  not  fetch  the  first   cost  and   duties.      I   have   not   heard   from 

\nii  since  1  left  home.      I    shall   go   from   here   to    New  York   and    if  the 

weather  is  favorable  1  shall  call  at  Charleston,  S.  C,  but  as  that  is  un- 


CORRESPONDENCE  OE  CAPTA/N  BUTLER.  245 

certain  I  want  you  to  write  me  a  line  and  send  it  by  mail  to  New  York 
and  send  another  by  some  of  the  packets  in  case  the  first  gets  lost. 

Charleston,  S.  C,  June  12,  1822. 
I  arrived  here  to-day  and  have  had  the  high  satisfaction  of  finding 
my  sons*  well  and  doing  well.  It  is  in  vain  for  me  to  attempt  to  express 
the  satisfaction  it  gives  me  to  see  them  again  and  to  find  them  steady 
and  prudent.  I  think  they  will  come  home  with  me,  though  Peter  is 
unwilling  to  leave  his  trade  ;  but  I  do  not  think  it  will  do  for  him  to  stay. 
We  shall  come  home  some  better  off  than  when  we  left ;  and  if  I  ever 
felt  a  degree  of  thankfulness,  if  my  heart  ever  melted  with  love  to  Him 
who  has  preserved  me  through  so  many  dangers,  I  think  I  now  feel  a 
full  sense  of  the  obligation  that  I  owe  my  Preserver  for  the  many  bless- 
ings bestowed  upon  me  and  my  sons.  The  boys  look  very  pale  and 
white  but  are  as  smart  as  bees.  Am  much  pleased  to  hear  how  well 
gentlemen,  of  high  standing  here,  speak  of  them. 

Wiscasset,  Me.,  Mar.  1st,  1823. 
I  have  just  arrived  here  from  Boston,  having  been  eighteen  hours  on 
the  way.  I  have  a  sleigh-load  of  articles  that  you  may  need.  If  one 
of  the  boys  will  come  and  get  them  I  should  be  pleased  to  have  them. 
If  not  I  shall  send  them  to  Hallowell  to  the  care  of  Mr.  Wales,  and  you 
can  get  them  when  you  please.  Peterf  has  gone  to  Charleston,  S.  C, 
with  a  lot  of  English  and  India  goods  valued  at  some  $4,000.00.  He 
found  friends  in  Boston  who  were  willing  to  credit  him  to  any  amount 
he  wished.  He  sailed  on  the  18th  of  February  in  the  schooner  "  Maine," 
Captain  Bungoon.  I  think  they  had  a  good  time  off  the  coast.  I  have 
concluded  to  run  my  vessel  as  a  packet  between  Hallowell  and  Boston 
this  season.  I  shall  return  to  Boston  in  about  ten  days  and  shall  be  in 
Hallowell  as  soon  as  the  ice  is  out. 


*  The  sons  here  referred  to  were  Peter  W.  and  David  Butler. 
t  Peter  \V.  Butler,  his  son. 


31 


CHAPTER    XIII. 

TEMPERANCE  MOVEMENTS. 

The  Prevalence  of  Rum-Drinking. — The  License  Law. —  Five  Licenses  Granted. — ■ 
Town  Votes  "Not  to  License  Retailers." — The  Ministerial  Association  Passes 
Resolutions  Against  the  Use  of  Spirituous  Liquors. —  First  Temperance  Society 
Formed. — Esq.  Peter  West's  Temperance  Society. — The  Washingtonian  Move- 
ment.— The  Allen's  Mills  Watch  Club. —  First  Division  Sons  of  Temperance 
(  (rganized. — The  "  Union  Peace  Temperance  Society." — The  Sons  of  Temper- 
ance at  Allen's  Mills. — 'The  Order  of  Good  Templars  in  Industry. — Juvenile 
Temples. — 'The  Iron  Clad  Club. 

THE  use  of  ardent  spirits  as  a  beverage  was  a  practice  of 
almost  universal  prevalence  among  the  early  settlers.  At  the 
old-fashioned  log-rollings  it  was  regarded  as  a  necessary  article  ; 
the  hay  crop  could  not  be  secured  without  its  aid,  while  a  "  leetle 
drop"  never  came  amiss  during  the  busy  harvest  season.  For 
many  years  it  was  claimed  that  the  frame  of  no  building  could 
be  raised  without  "  plenty  of  rum,"  which  was  often  so  freely 
drank  as  to  cause  intoxication.  At  musters  and  on  holidays 
grog  in  large  quantities  was  also  drank,  while  no  one  could 
properly  entertain  company  if  there  was  no  liquor  in  the  house.* 
It  was  customary  for  every  grocery  dealer  to  sell  spirits,  which 
was  by  no  means  a  small  item  of  his  trade.  Soon  after  Maine 
became  a  separate  State  a  law  was  enacted  requiring  retailers  to 
obtain  license  from  the  municipal  officers  and  leaving  each  town 
free  to  decide,  by  a  vote,  whether  or  not  persons  should  be  so 
licensed.      Under  this  act  James  Davis,  who  kept  store  at  Davis's 

*  A  gentleman  informs  the  author  that,  when  a  small  boy,  he  was  frequently  sent 
to  the  store,  about  a  mile  away,  to  bu)  spirits  for  the  entertainment  of  ministers  who 
chanced  to  visit  his  father's  house. 


TEMPERANCE  MOVEMENTS.  247 

(nowGoodridge's)  Corner,  was  the  first  person  to  receive  a  license 
to  sell.  Seven  years  later  five  persons  were  granted  licenses  to 
retail  spirituous  liquors.  It  appears  that  this  number  gave  the 
people  rather  "too  much  of  a  good  thing,"  for  at  their  annual 
meeting  in  1829  the  town  voted  not  to  license  sellers. 

Perhaps  it  is  not  generally  known  that  ministers  of  the  gospel 
began  to  realize  the  evil  effects  of  intemperance  as  early  as 
18 1 2.  During  that  year  the  Ministerial  Associations  of  nearly 
all  the  religious  denominations  adopted  the  following  resolution  : 

"That  we  will  ourselves,  and  in  our  families,  abstain  from  the  use  of 
strong  drink,  except  as  a  medicine,  and  will  use  our  influence  to  have 
others  renounce  the  practice,  and  have  it  understood  that  civility  does 
not  require,  and  expediency  does  not  permit,  the  production  [offering] 
of  it  as  a  part  of  hospitable  entertainment  in  social  visits." 

This  resolution  formed  the  germ  from  which  all  subsequent 
temperance  efforts  sprung.  With  such  powerful  allies  as  the 
ministers  of  the  gospel  much  good  was  accomplished  in  Indus- 
try, as  well  as  elsewhere,  and  some  were  led  to  abandon  the  use 
of  strong  drink  entirely. 

The  first  temperance  society  organized  in  Industry  was  com- 
posed entirely  of  lady  members  from  Industry  and  adjoining 
towns,  and  was  known  as  the  Industry  Female  Temperance 
Society.  Though  the  exact  date  of  its  formation  is  not  known, 
it  is  probable  that  this  society  existed  prior  to  1829.  The  full 
text  of  the  preamble  and  articles  of  the  constitution  are  here 
given,  together  with  a  list  of  the  members  : 

We,  the  subscribers,  having  witnessed  and  heard  of  many  cases  of 
misery  and  ruin,  in  consequence  of  the  free  use  of  ardent  spirits,  and 
[being]  desirous  to  prevent,  if  possible,  evils  of  such  magnitude,  [do] 
agree  to  form  ourselves  into  a  Temperance  Society  and  adopt  the  follow- 
ing Constitution  : 

Article  1st,  we  will  wholly  abstain  from  the  use  of  ardent  spirits  on 
all  occasions,  except  it  be  found  indispensably  necessary  as  a  medicine. 

Art.  2nd,  we  will  discountenance  all  addresses  from  any  of  the  male 
sex,  with  a  view  of  matrimony,  if  they  shall  be  known  to  drink  spirits 
either  periodically  or  on  any  public  occasion. 


248  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

Art  3rd,  We,  as  mothers,  daughters  and  sisters  will  use  our  inlluence 

i"  prevent  the  marriage  of  our  friends  with  a  man  who  shall  habitually 
drink  any  of  [the]  ardent  spirits. 

[  Signed.] 

Jane  Atkinson,  Industry.  Sally  Pollard,                      Industry. 

Susan  Patterson,  "  Lucy  Underwood,      New  Sharon. 

Betsey  Thompson,  "  Clarissa  J.  Atkinson,           Mereer. 

Nancy  Goodridge,  "  Sally  Merry,            New  Vineyard. 

Mary  Howes,  "  Susan  Thompson,                 Starks. 

Anna  Norton,  "  Julia  Ann  Greenleaf,                  " 

Mary  Ann  Norton,  "  Mary  Gould,                               " 

Eliza  Norton,  "  Annah  Dutton, 

Nancy  Withee,  "  Sophia  W.  Dutton,                    " 

Betsey  A.  Snell,  "  Martha  A.  Stevens,                    " 

Anna  West,  "  Harriet  Stevens,                         " 

As  woman  was  the  first  to  visit  the  sepulchre  of  her  Master, 
as  she  has  been  first  in  nearly  every  good  work  since,  so  was 
she  first  to  labor  for  the  cause  of  temperance  in  Industry.  Of 
the  success  of  this  society  but  little  is  known,  as  with  very  few 
exceptions  its  members  have  all  passed  away. 

Esquire  Peter  West  organized  a  temperance  society  in  1829 
or  1830.  It  was  composed  entirely  of  male  members  and  un- 
questionably exerted  a  salutary  restraining  influence  over  the 
intemperate  portion  of  the  community.  This  society  continued 
to  exist  for  several  years,  when  the  interest  in  a  measure  died 
out.*  The  Washingtonian  movement  about  1840  caused  a  re- 
vival of  the  interest  in  temperance  work,  and  the  society  re- 
organized and  continued  to  meet  for  a  few  years  thereafter,  but 
in  the  course  of  time  it  ceased  to  exist. f 


♦The  following  is  a  record  of  their  meeting  holden  July  4,  1836:  "  Meeting  held 
at  the  Meeting  House  near  West's  Mills  on  above  date.  Chose  Capt.  Ezekiel  I  linkley, 
president;  Win.  Cornforth,  Esq.,  vice-president ;  and  Col.  Benjamin  I. uce,  secretary. 
Standing  committee : — James  Cutts,  Samuel  Patterson,  John  W.  Manter,  Benjamin  W. 
Norton,  Zebulon  Manter,  Brice  S.  Edwards.  Voted  to  adjourn  until  the  last  Saturday 
in  September."  From  a  memorandum  on  the  sheet  containing  this  record  it  appears 
that  Rev.  Alden  liovnton  delivered  an  address  on  that  occasion. 

t  As  an  evidence  of  the  good  accomplished  by  these  early  efforts  the  writer  will 
add  that  at  a  meeting  held  in  September,  1S49,  the  town  voted  to  choose  a  committee 
of  three  to  prevent  the  unlawful  sale  of  liquor.  These  gentlemen  were  instructed  to 
prosecute  whenever  milder  measures  failed  to  stop  this  illicit  traffic. 


TEMPERANCE  MOVEMENTS.  249 

Soon  after  the  enactment  of  the  "Maine  Liquor  Law"  a 
Watch  Club  was  organized  at  Allen's  Mills;  this  club  was  a 
secret  organization  whose  purpose  was  to  enforce  the  principles 
of  this  law.  Among  the  members  were  Capt.  Clifford  B.  Nor- 
ton, Capt.  Newman  T.  Allen,  Gen.  Nathan  Goodridge,  Isaac 
Webster,  Benjamin  Allen,  Brice  S.  Edwards,  Samuel  R.  Allen, 
etc.,  with  a  number  of  members  from  Farmington,  among  whom 
were  Thomas  H.  McLain  and  Augustus  Backus.  Like  all  or- 
ganizations of  a  similar  character,  the  Industry  Watch  Club  had 
some  bitter  opponents  who  sought  its  destruction.  Notwith- 
standing this  opposition  the  organization  continued  to  hold 
meetings  for  several  years  and  was  undoubtedly  instrumental  in 
doing  much  good. 

After  the  disbanding  of  the  Watch  Club,  no  other  event  of 
importance  occurred  until  the  early  part  of  1859,  when  con- 
siderable interest  in  the  cause  of  temperance  was  manifested  in 
Industry.  The  celebrated  "Maine  Liquor  Law"  had  been  in 
force  for  nearly  a  decade,  and  the  better  classes  were  every- 
where awakening  to  the  evils  of  intemperance.  The  day  when 
it  was  thought  that  the  frame  of  a  building  could  not  be  raised 
or  a  crop  of  hay  secured  without  the  free  use  of  rum,  or  other 
ardent  spirits,  had  passed  away.  Science  had  demonstrated 
the  fact  that  it  neither  sustained  nor  prolonged  the  period  of 
physical  endurance,  and  that  it  did  not  augment  the  ability  of 
the  system  to  withstand  the  effects  of  cold  and  exposure,  while 
from  the  pulpit  ministers  of  the  gospel  were  crying  out  against 
the  evils  of  this  scourge  of  mankind  in  terms  of  strong  con- 
demnation. 

But  in  spite  of  the  Maine  Law  a  great  deal  of  liquor  was 
sold  in  town  ;  perhaps  not  quite  so  openly  as  it  would  other- 
wise have  been  done,  still  it  was  generally  known  by  those 
interested  where  and  how  it  could  be  obtained.  Early  in  the 
month  of  February  a  movement  was  made  to  organize  a  Divis- 
ion of  the  Sons  of  Temperance  at  West's  Mills,  and  on  the 
15th  of  February,  1859,  those  interested  met  at  the  meeting- 
house for  the  purpose  of  organization.  Although  the  number 
was   not   large,  it  was   composed   of  many  of  the   leading  and 


250  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

most  influential  men  of  the  town.  Their  organization  was  per- 
fected by  the  choice  of  the  following  officers:  Asaph  Boyden, 
Worthy  Patriarch;  Peter  West  Willis,  Past  Worthy  Patriarch  ; 
Rev.  Isaac  Lord,  Chaplain;  Hiram  Manter,  Worthy  Assistant ; 
George  W.  Clayton,  Recording  Scribe;  James  A.  Manter, 
Assistant  Recording  Scribe  ;  Warren  N.  Willis,  Financial  Scribe  ; 
lames  Manter,  Treasurer  ;  Benjamin  Tibbets,  Conductor ;  Isaac 
Daggett,  Assistant  Conductor;  Win.  H.  Luce,  Sr.,  Inside  Senti- 
nel; Peter  P.  Smith,  Outside  Sentinel.  Their  second  meeting 
was  held,  by  adjournment,  at  the  dwelling  of  widow  Abigail 
Stevens,  who  then  lived  in  the  Esquire  Peter  West  house.  This 
organization,  which  was  known  as  the  Putnam  Division,  No.  62, 
Sons  of  Temperance,  continued  to  meet  through  the  winter  and 
added  largely  to  its  number.  On  the  4th  of  July,  1859,  the 
members  of  the  Division  celebrated  at  West's  Mills  and  held  a 
picnic  in  Hiram  Manter's  grove,  (beat  preparations  were  made 
for  the  occasion,  and  an  invitation  was  extended  to  the  Stark 
Division  to  join  in  the  celebration  which  was  gratefully  accepted. 
The  day  was  all  that  heart  could  wish,  and  everyone  was  in  high 
spirits.  A  portion  of  the  Stark  delegation  came  in  a  large  hay- 
rack gaily  bedecked  with  flags,  as  were  also  the  yokes  of  the 
oxen  drawing  the  rack.  The  exercises  of  the  occasion  consisted 
in  forming  a  procession  at  the  meeting-house  and  marching  to 
the  grove,  where  a  speaker's  stand  had  been  erected  and  from 
which  an  eloquent  address  was  delivered.  After  the  address 
came  various  other  exercises,  including  interesting  remarks  on 
temperance,  interspersed  with  music,  both  vocal  and  instru- 
mental. Next  in  order  came  dinner,  which  in  so  pleasant  a  grove 
was  really  an  enjoyable  affair.  Everything  passed  off  agreeably, 
and  all  returned  to  their  homes  well  pleased  with  the  enjoyment 
which  the  day  had  afforded.*     The  Putnam  Division  continued 

*  Not  to  be  out-done  by  their  contemporaries,  the  Union  Peace  Temperance 
Society  also  made  preparations  to  celebrate  the  anniversary  of  their  National  Inde- 
pendence. They  engaged  as  their  speaker,  Daniel  ( '..  Harriman,  of  New  Sharon,  a 
young  man  of  ability,  who  acquired  the  degree  of  A.  M.  about  that  time,  and  soon 
alter  became  a  teacher  at  the  Kent's  Hill  Seminary.  He  subsequently  became  a 
lawyer  and  practiced  in  New  York  City.  They  selected  as  a  place  for  their  exercises 
a  beautiful  spot  in  the  grove  on  the  left  of  the  road  leading  to  New  Sharon,  and  but  a 
short  distance  south  ot  the  village.  In  the  afternoon  the  Society  held  a  rousing 
mass  meeting  in  Oliver  Stevens's  hall,  and  added  many  new  names  to  their  pledge. 


TEMPERANCE  MOVEMENTS.  25  I 

to  meet  through  the  year  1859,  but  in  the  winter  of  i860  certain 
members  gave  the  society  a  vast  amount  of  trouble  by  divulg- 
ing the  pass-word  of  the  order.  As  these  members  became 
more  and  more  troublesome  it  was  thought  advisable  by  the 
majority  of  the  members  to  surrender  their  charter.  Accord- 
ingly, in  the  latter  part  of  June,  i860,  their  charter  was  returned 
to  the  Grand  Division,  from  whence  it  originated,  and  the  soci- 
ety disbanded.  This  condition  of  things  did  not  continue  long, 
however,  for  on  the  10th  of  July  following,  a  number  of  the 
original  members  met  and  re-organized  under  the  same  name 
and  number  as  the  former  society  had  borne.  Up  to  this  date 
no  permanent  place  for  holding  their  meetings  could  be  obtained, 
but  before  the  close  of  this  year  a  hall  was  finished  over  Warren 
N.  Willis's  store,  afterward  known  as  the  Peter  W.  Butler  stand, 
and  was  used  for  the  first  time  by  the  Division  on  the  4th  day 
of  December,  i860.  The  expenses  of  finishing  this  hall  were 
borne  by  a  number  of  public-spirited  gentlemen,  namely,  Asaph 
Boyden,  Capt.  Peter  W.  Willis,  George  W.  Luce,  Benjamin  Tib- 
betts,  Cyrus  Chase,  Almore  Haskell,  Isaac  Daggett,  Peter  B. 
Smith,  David  M.  Norton,  Alonzo  Norton,  John  E.  Johnson, 
John  T.  Daggett  and  James  A.  Manter.  The  generous  act  of 
these  gentlemen  placed  the  Society  on  a  substantial  footing, 
financially,  and  relieved  it  of  much  trouble  and  anxiety.  The 
society's  meetings  were  well  attended  until  the  winter  of  1863, 
when  from  the  excitement  caused  by  the  war  and  from  other 
causes  the  interest  seemed  to  abate.  Some  of  the  members 
continued  to  hold  meetings  in  private  houses  for  a  while,  but  ere 
long  these  meetings  were  discontinued  and  Putnam  Division,  S. 
of  T.,  became  a  thing  of  the  past.  This  society's  motto  was, 
"the  strict  enforcement  of  the  law,"  and  with  this  object  in  view 
the  rumseller's  position  became  anything  but  an  agreeable  one. 
A  sharp  watch  was  kept  for  law-breakers,  and  no  opportunity  to 
prosecute  them  was  allowed  to  pass  unimproved.  Though  the 
venders  of  ardent  spirits  received  frequent  chastisements  at  the 
hands  of  the  Sons  of  Temperance,  the  sale  of  intoxicants  was 
not  wholly  suppressed.  But  the  restraint  exerted  by  this  course 
had  a  very  beneficial  effect  in  the  town  and  community,  and  the 


.■>- 


HISTORY    OF   INDUSTRY. 


amount  of  good  resulting  from  this  organization  can  hardly  be 

estimated. 

Prior  to  the  organization  of  the  forementioned  society,  some 
of  the  most  influential  men  in  town  united  to  form  "The  Union 
Peace  Temperance  Society."  The  exact  date  of  its  formation 
is  unknown,  but  at  a  meeting  holden  Jan.  10,  1859,  Nelson  C. 
Luce  presented  a  constitution  for  adoption.  From  this  fact  it 
is  to  be  inferred  that  the  date  was  very  near  the  beginning  of 
the  year  1859.  While  the  Sons  of  Temperance  favored  a  rigid 
enforcement  of  the  law,  the  Union  Society  declared  in  favor  of 
milder  measures  and  favored  prosecution  only  as  a  dernier  res- 
sort.  Feelings  of  intense  bitterness  existed  between  the  mem- 
bers of  the  two  organizations,  and  a  few  of  the  Sons  even  went 
so  far  as  to  declare  that  the  Union  Society  was  organized  in 
the  interest  of  and  controlled  by  the  rumsellcr,  and  many 
epithets  of  vile  abuse  were  heaped  upon  the  heads  of  its  mem- 
bers. The  meetings  of  the  society  were  largely  attended  and 
the  total  membership  reached  a  high  figure.  Among  its  mem- 
bers were  Nelson  C.  Luce,  Elbridge  H.  Rackliff,  David  Luce, 
Silas  Burse. 

Nearly  contemporaneous  with  the  Putnam  Division,  there 
existed  at  Allen's  Mills  a  similar  organization,  of  which  the 
writer  has  failed  to  learn  any  facts — not  even  the  name  by 
which  it  is  was  known. 

The  "Guiding  Star"  Division,  Sons  of  Temperance,  was 
organized  at  West's  Mills,  March  3,  1865,  and  at  one  time  had 
forty-five  members,  but  it  did  not  live  to  celebrate  its  first 
anniversary. 

The  Order  of  Good  Templars  first  gained  a  foothold  in 
Industry  at  Allen's  Mills,  where,  in  April,  1  870,  the  citizens  of 
that  place  and  vicinity  organized  a  lodge  with  twenty  charter 
members.  Among  these  members  were  Gen'l  Nathan  Good- 
ridge,  Moses  M.  Luce,  Sylvanus  B.  Philbrick,  Henry  B.  Rack- 
liff, Daniel  Collins  Luce,  Deacon  Ira  Emery,  William  J.  Rackliff 
and  John  E.  Johnson.  The  officers  elected  and  installed  for 
the  fust  quarter  were  as  follows:  Worth)-  Chief  Templar, 
William  J.  Rackliff;  W.V.  Templar,  Miriam  C.  Luce;  W.  Chap- 


TEMPERANCE  MOVEMENTS.  253 

lain,  Ira  Emery;  W.  Secretary,  Sarah  E.  Johnson;  W.  Finan- 
cial Secretary,  Henry  B.  Rackliff;  W.  Treasurer,  Moses  M. 
Luce;  W.  Marshal,  J.  Warren  Collins;  W.  Deputy,  Mary  G. 
Rackliff;  YV.  Inside  Guard,  William  Seaver  ;  VV.  Outside  Guard, 
Charles  A.  Craig;  Past  W.  C.  T.,  John  E.  Johnson.  This 
organization,  known  as  Clear  Water  Lodge,  held  its  meetings 
on  Wednesday  of  each  week,  but  subsequently  changed  the 
day  to  Saturday.  With  so  many  persons  of  sterling  char- 
acter among  the  charter  members,  the  lodge  was  a  success 
from  the  very  start.  Regular  meetings  were  held  during  the 
summer,  new  regalias  and  other  paraphernalia  of  the  Order 
procured,  and  a  few  new  members  were  received.  The  lodge 
numbered  29  members  in  good  standing  on  the  13th  of  August, 
1870. 

October  12,  1 870,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maine  met  at  Farm- 
ington,  and  Clear  Water  Lodge  sent  William  J.  Rackliff,  Daniel 
Collins  Luce  and  Mary  G.  Rackliff  as  delegates  to  that  meeting. 
The  usual  routine  of  business  was  interspersed  and  enlivened  by 
vocal  and  instrumental  music,  as  well  as  by  papers,  debates,  dia- 
logues, declamations,  tableaux  and  charades.  Occasionally  the 
members  would  give  an  exhibition  or  get  up  a  supper,  which 
invariably  added  something  to  the  cash  account  of  the  lodge. 
During  the  winter  of  1870-1  the  meetings  were  held  at  the 
house  of  Moses  M.  Luce.  Early  the  following  spring,  however, 
the  members  rented  a  hall  over  Oscar  O.  Allen's  store,  and 
here  the  lodge  continued  to  hold  its  meetings  as  long  as  it 
existed.  These  meetings  were  well  attended,  and  new  members 
were  from  time  to  time  added,  until  by  the  close  of  July,  1871, 
the  lodge  numbered  forty-six  members  in  good  standing.  The 
order  sustained  a  serious  loss  in  the  death  of  General  Nathan 
Goodridge,  which  occurred  Sept.  30,  1871.  Gen.  Goodridge 
was  a  worthy  and  highly  esteemed  member,  and  at  a  subse- 
quent meeting  the  following  resolutions  in  memoriam  were 
passed  and  sent  to  the  Farmington  Chronicle  and  Riverside 
Echo  for  publication  : 

Whereas  it  has  pleased  the  great  Father  to  remove  from  us  our 
esteemed  brother,  Gen.  Nathan  Goodridge,  and  while  we  would  remem- 

32 


254  HISTORY   OF   INDUSTRY. 

ber  our  fraternal  obligation  which  demands  an  expression  of  our  sorrow, 
and  our  sympathy  for  the  afflicted  family,  therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  by  the  death  of  our  beloved  brother  we  are  bereft 
of  a  kind  and  gentle  associate,  rich  in  every  virtue  that  adorns  mankind, 
and  loved  most  by  those  who  knew  him  best. 

Resolved,  That  in  our  sadness  we  do  not  forget  to  recognize  the 
over-ruling  hand  of  Providence,  who  does  not  allow  even  a  sparrow  to 
fall  without  His  notice. 

Resolved,  That  our  sympathy  is  tendered  to  the  bereaved  and 
afflicted  friends,  and  that  we  point  them  to  Him  who  doeth  all  things 
well,  in  their  hour  of  sorrow. 

The  early  part  of  the  year  1872  marked  a  period  of  gen- 
eral prosperity  in  the  history  of  Clear  Water  Lodge,  and  its 
meetings  continued  through  the  winter  of  1 87 1-2  with  un- 
abated interest,  and  its  entertainments  were  well  patronized. 
But  as  the  year  drew  near  its  close  the  interest  seemed  to  abate, 
and  meetings  were  held  less  and  less  frequently  the  following 
winter.  The  last  entry  in  the  lodge  journal  bears  the  date  of 
March  I,  1873.  Among  the  persons  who  served  as  Chief 
Templar  in  this  lodge  were:  John  R.  Luce,  Horatio  A.  B. 
Kyes,  Daniel  C.  and  Moses  M.  Luce.  Prominent  among  the 
members  were,  Rev.  Chas.  E.  Woodcock,  Amos  S.  Hinkley, 
Oscar  ( ).  Allen,  Herbert   B.  Luce  and  Josiah  Emery, 

In  the  summer  of  1873  a  representative  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Good  Templars  came  to  West's  Mills  and  attempted  to 
organize  a  lodge,  but  from  some  reason  a  permanent  organiza- 
tion was  never  gained.  After  meeting  two  or  three  times,  the 
interest  seemed  to  die  out  and  a  charter  was  never  obtained. 
Thus  ended  the  first  attempt  to  establish  a  Lodge  of  Good 
Templars  at  West's  Mills.  Again,  in  the  winter  of  1878,  while 
the  Iron  Clad  Club  was  holding  its  most  interesting  meetings, 
Mr.  L.  W.  Starbird,  of  East  Dixmont,  Maine,  a  member  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  came  to  West's  Mills  and  addressed  the  club,  on 
the  subject  of  forming  a  lodge,  at  one  of  its  regular  meetings. 
Though  Mr.  Starbird  labored  incessantly  for  the  cause,  both 
among  the  club  members  and  the  community  at  large,  be 
failed  to  secure  sufficient  support  to  enable  him  to  organize  a 
lodge. 


TEMPERANCE  MO  I  'EMENTS.  255 

During  the  winter  of  1881  Albert  0.  Frederic,  of  Stark, 
who  was  teaching  the  village  school  at  West's  Mills,  having 
been  commissioned  as  a  special  deputy  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 
proposed  that  the  persons  interested  in  the  cause  of  temper- 
ance unite  to  form  a  lodge  of  the  Order  of  Good  Templars. 
Accordingly  a  paper  was  circulated  and  a  sufficient  number  of 
names  to  insure  the  success  of  the  enterprise  was  obtained,  and 
on  the  evening  of  March  12th  these  persons  met  at  Norton's 
Hall  for  the  purpose  of  organization.  The  traveling  being 
very  bad  at  the  time,  several  who  had  pledged  their  support 
failed  to  be  present.  Consequently  the  lodge  was  organized 
with  scarcely  members  enough  for  the  necessary  officers.  The 
organization  was  perfected  by  the  election  and  installation  of 
the  following  officers,  viz:  John  W.  Frederic,  Worthy  Chief 
Templar;  Ida  M.  Oliver,  Worthy  Vice  Templar;  Fugene  L. 
Smith,  Worthy  Secretary;  Harrison  Daggett,  Worthy  Financial 
Secretary;  Flora  M.  Rackliff,  Worthy  Treasurer;  Rev.  John 
W.  Perry,  Worthy  Chaplain  ;  Frank  W.  Smith,  Worthy  Mar- 
shal;  Emma  N.  Luce,  Worthy  Inside  Guard;  Ward  Burns, 
Worthy  Outside  Guard  ;  David  W.  Merry,  Past  Worthy  Chief 
Templar;  William  C.  Hatch,  Lodge  Deputy.  This  organiza- 
tion was  given  the  name  of  Protection  Lodge,  doubtless  from 
the  fact  that  one  of  its  objects  was  to  protect  its  members  from 
the  temptations  and  baleful  influences  of  intemperance.  For 
a  time  the  prospects  of  this  organization  were  gloomy  indeed, 
notwithstanding  the  fact  that  it  was  fully  organized  and  free 
from  debt.  The  society  met  with  strong  opposition,  the  mem- 
bership was  small,  and  owing  to  outside  influences  it  seemed 
for  a  time  that  it  would  never  be  any  larger.  At  first  it  met 
only  to  adjourn  from  time  to  time,  but  after  a  while  its  pros- 
pects began  to  brighten  ;  several  new  members  were  added,  and 
the  lodge  thus  re-enforced  took  a  new  lease  of  life.  Meetings 
were  held  regularly,  and  in  addition  to  the  usual  routine  of 
business,  questions  were  discussed,  select  readings  were  given  ; 
an  organ  having  been  procured,  vocal  and  instrumental  music 
were  included  among  the  exercises.  After  once  getting  a  start, 
at    nearly  every  meeting    new  and   valuable    acquisitions   were 


2-^6  ///STORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

added  to  its  list  of  members,  and  the  interest  was  well  main- 
tained throughout  the  entire  year.  Protection  Lodge  num- 
bered about  fifty  members  in  good  standing  at  the  beginning  of 
[882,  and  had  a  sum  in  the  treasury  more  than  sufficient  to 
pay  all  expenses,  notwithstanding  a  considerable  sum  had  been 
expended  in  furnishings  for  the  hall.  The  members  were 
regular  in  their  attendance,  and  the  year  was  a  prosperous  one 
in  the  history  of  the  lodge.  During  the  succeeding  winter 
the  interest  seemed  to  abate,  and  no  meetings  were  held  after 
Feb.  12,  1883.  But  in  the  fall  of  that  year  they  were  again 
resumed  with  a  varying  degree  of  interest  and  continued  up  to 
near  the  close  of  December.  Owing  to  the  unsettled  condition 
of  affairs,  it  was  thought  best  to  surrender  the  charter  and 
re-organize  under  a  new  one.  Thus  closed  up  the  affairs  of 
Protection  Lodge,  No.  334,  I.  0.  of  G.  T.,  after  an  existence 
of  nearly  three  years.  The  Chief  Templars  of  this  Lodge 
were:  John  W.  Frederic,  Rev.  John  W.  Perry,  David  M.  Nor- 
ton and  William  D.  Randall.  The  deputies:  William  C.  Hatch 
and  Harrison  Daggett. 

Through  the  efforts  of  Rev.  Luther  P.  French  the  co-opera- 
tion of  a  sufficient  number  of  children  was  secured  to  form  a 
juvenile  temple.  For  this  purpose  a  meeting  was  held  in 
Norton's  Hall  at  West's  Mills,  on  Saturday  evening,  Feb.  2, 
18S4.  The  temple  was  organized  by  F.  A.  Marston,  of  Oak- 
land, a  representative  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maine,  and  num- 
bered seventeen  members.  The  officers  elected  were  as  follows  : 
Chief  Templar,  Frank  C.  Luce  ;  Right-Hand  Supporter,  Frances 
A.  Norton;  Left-Hand  Supporter,  Annie  C.  Randall;  Vice- 
Templar,  Nellie  B.Stevens;  Secretary,  Samuel  C.  Pinkham  ;  As- 
sistant Secretary,  Henry  C.  French  ;  Financial  Secretary,  George 
W.  Patterson;  Treasurer,  Frances  F.  Daggett;  Chaplain,  Amy 
A.  Norton;  Marshal,  Rufus  F.  Pinkham;  Guard,  Ellen  S. 
Norton;  Sentinel,  Reuel  B.  Norton;  Superintendent  of  the  Tem- 
ple, Rev.  Luther  P.  French.  This  temple  was  known  as  the 
"Gatherers,"  No.  72,  and  continued  to  meet  every  Saturday 
afternoon  through  the  winter  and  spring.  After  Elder  French 
left  the  Industry  Circuit  in  the  spring,  Mrs.  Sarah  J.  Randall  was 


TEMPERANCE  MOVEMENTS.  257 

chosen  Superintendent.  The  busy  spring  and  summer  season 
caused  a  very  marked  decrease  in  the  attendance  at  the  meet- 
ings, and  by  autumn  the  organization  had  become  a  thing  of 
the  past. 

In  consultation  with  State  Deputy  Mars  ton  the  officers  and 
members  of  Protection  Lodge  decided  to  surrender  their  charter, 
as  has  already  been  stated,  and  continue  the  work  of  the  Order 
under  a  new  dispensation  from  the  Grand  Lodge.  Consequently 
a  petition  was  drawn  up  asking  for  a  new  charter,  and  on  the 
evening  appointed  for  organization  it  contained  the  signatures 
of  126  persons  who  desired  to  become  charter  members.  This 
result  was  the  outgrowth  of  the  earnest,  unremitting  efforts  of 
Fyben  S.  Ladd  and  Asa  H.  Patterson,  who  thorough/  canvassed  for 
signatures  at  every  house  within  a  radius  of  several  miles  of  the 
village,  and  is  said  to  be  without  a  parallel  in  the  history  of 
temperance  work  in  the  State  of  Maine.  Prominent  among  the 
petitioners  were  Rev.  Luther  P.  French,  Franklin  W.  Patterson, 
Benjamin  Warren  Norton,  Joseph  VV.  Smith,  William  D.  Ran- 
dall, Warren  Cornforth,  Benjamin  Tibbetts,  Rosalvin  Robbins, 
John  W.  Frederic  and  others.  The  petioners  met  for  organiza- 
tion on  Friday  evening,  February  8,  1884.  The  members, 
seventy  in  number,  were  initiated  by  State  Deputy  Marston  of 
Oakland.  The  name  "Clear  Water  Lodge"  was  adopted,  and 
Saturday  evening  of  each  week  was  selected  for  holding  their 
meetings.  Officers  were  then  elected  and  installed  as  follows  : 
VV.  C.  T.,  Wm.  D.  Randall;  VV.  V.  T.,  Eva  L.  Luce;  W.  S., 
Sidney  Watson;  W.  F.  S.,  Benjamin  Warren  Norton;  VV.  T., 
Franklin  VV.  Patterson;  VV.  C,  Rev.  Luther  P.  French;  VV.  M., 
Asa  H.  Patterson;  VV.  I.  G.,  Ward  Burns;  VV.  O.  G.,  John  F. 
Gordon;  P.  VV.  C.  T.,  John  VV.  Frederic;  L.  D.,  Harrison  Dag- 
gett; VV.  L.  H.  S.,  Sarah  E.  Tolman  ;  Wr.  R.  H.  S.,  Deborah 
Norton;   VV.  D.  M.,  F.  Octavia  Ladd. 

A  board  of  trustees,  consisting  of  Joseph  VV.  Smith,  James 
M.  Norton  and  Eben  S.  Ladd,  was  also  chosen.  At  the  next 
election  of  officers,  April  26,  1884,  Harrison  Daggett  was  chosen 
Chief  Templar  and  Sherman  G.  Tinkham  selected  for  Lodge 
Deputy.     While  the  zeal  of  its  originators   remained   at  white 


258  HISTORY  OF  rNDUSTRY. 

heat  the  prospects  of  Clear  Water  Lodge  were  flattering,  indeed, 
and  its  meetings  were  well  sustained  for  a  few  months.  But  in 
this  case  the  axiom,  "Go  up  like  a  rocket  and  come  down  like 
the  stick"  was  again  to  be  verified.  A  perceptible  declension 
in  the  interest  occurred  during  the  months  of  May  and  June, 
and  but  seven  meetings  were  held  after  July  first,  the  last  being 
(  >ctober  1  1 ,  1  884. 

Near  the  close  of  November,  [887,  James  II.  Hamilton, 
Councillor  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maine,  visited  West's  Mills 
and  lectured  at  Norton's  Hall  on  "The  Object  of  the  Order." 
At  the  close  of  his  lecture  he  re-organized  Clear  Water  Lodge 
with  nine  charter  members.  The  officers  elected  and  installed 
were:  W.  C.  T..  Calvin  B.  Fish;  W.  V.  T.,  Amy  A.  Norton; 
W.  S.,  Samuel  C.  Pinkham ;  W.  F.  S.,  Robert  Burns;  W.  T., 
Ellen  A.  Frederic;  W.  M.,  Rufus  F.  Pinkham;  W.  C,  Lilla 
Masterman;  W.  I.  G.,  Clara  E.  Norton;  W.  O.  G.,  George  \V. 
Patterson;  L.  1).,  Arthur  II.  Oliver.  The  lodge  met  with  some 
degree  of  regularity  during  the  winter  of  1 887-8  and  gained  a 
tew   new  members,  but   it  never  secured  a  very  permanent  basis. 

Soon  after  his  visit  to  West's  Mills,  Mr.  Hamilton  visited 
Allen's  Mills  and  on  Thursday,  December  8,  1887,  organized  a 
-''ond  lodge  in  Industry  to  be  known  as  Crystal  Lake  Lodge. 
This  temple  had  thirty-five  charter  members,  and  to  perfect  its 
organization  elected  and  installed  the  following  officers:  W.  C. 
T.,  Herbert  B.  Luce;  W.  V.  T.,  Juliet  Bailey;  W.  S.,  Alfred  F. 
Johnson;  W.  A.  S.,  Etta  M.  Norton;  W.  F.  S.,  John  T.  Luce; 
W.  T.,  John  C.  Higgins;  W.  M.,  Alonzo  O.  Rackliff;  W.  I). 
M.,  Amy  A.  Luce;  W.  C,  D.  Collins  Luce;  W.  I.  G.,  Carrie 
M.  True;  W.  O.  G.,  Andrew  S.  Emery;  V.  W.  C  T.,  William. 
J.  Rackliff;  L.  D.,  Llewellyn  Norton.  At  the  present  time 
(June,  1892),  this  lodge  is  holding  its  meetings  regularly  and 
is  in  a  prosperous  condition.  It  numbers  sixty-one  members 
in  good  standing  and  is  wielding  a  powerful  influence  for  the 
cause  of  temperance. 

On  the  day  following  the  organization  of  "  Crystal  Lake- 
Lodge "  at  Allen's  Mills,  a  juvenile  temple  was  also  organized 
at  the  same  place,  taking  for  its  name  the  title  "  Sparkling  Jewel." 


TEMPERANCE  t  J  U )  VEMENTS.  2  5  9 

The  first  set  of  officers  elected  were:  C.  T.,  Frank  C.  Luce;  V. 
T.,  Minnie  O.  Purely;  C,  Melvin  Purely;  Sec,  Mrs.  Rose  Spin- 
ney; Ass't  Sec,  Berley  Viles ;  F.  S.,  Allie  Spinney;  T.,  C.  Ern- 
est Wyman;  M.,  Kent  R.  Rackliff;  D.  M.,  Eugene  Rackliff; 
G.,  Mabel  Rathey;  S.,  Neddie  Rathcy ;  R.  H.  S.,  Maude  Rack- 
liff; L.  H.  S.,  Lena  Rackliff;  P.  C.  T.,  Andrew  Spinney  ;  Sup't 
of  Temple,  Juliet  Bailey.  This  Temple  has  been  one  of  the 
most  prosperous  in  Franklin  County. 

Early  in  October,  1877,  several  zealous  workers  in  the  cause 
of  temperance  from  the  Iron  Clad  Club  at  Farmington,  came 
to  West's  Mills  and  succeeded  in  organizing  an  Iron  Clad  Club 
there.  This  temperance  movement  was  originated  by  Joshua 
K.  Osgood,  of  Gardiner,  Me.,  and  at  the  time  a  club  was  organ- 
ized at  West's  Mills,  several  efficient  organizations  of  the  kind 
existed  in  the  State.  This  new  departure  in  temperance  work 
soon  became  very  popular,  and  through  its  instrumentality 
many  persons  of  intemperate  habits  were  reclaimed  and  have 
since  led  strictly  temperate  lives.  In  organizing  at  West's  Mills, 
the  labors  of  the  visitors  were  ably  supplemented  by  aid  from 
man)-  representative  citizens  of  the  place,  including  Rev.  David 
Pratt,  Moses  Bradbury,  Richard  Caswell,  Elias  II.  Yeaton  and 
others.  Mr.  Bradbury  was  chosen  president  of  the  Club  and 
filled  the  position  in  a  very  able  and  acceptable  manner.  Elias 
....  II.  Yeaton  was  elected  vice-president,  and  Coridon  W.  Luce,* 
secretary.  The  new  club  took  for  its  name  "  Eureka,"  signify- 
ing I  have  found  it.  So  diligently  did  the  members  labor  that 
at  the  close  of  the  fifth  meeting  their  pledge  contained  one  hun- 
dred and  eighty  names.  Weekly  meetings  were  held  during  the 
winter  of  1877-8  with  a  deep  and  widespread  interest. 

Josiah  Emery,  who  had  previously  been  a  member  of  the 
Farmington  Club,  succeeded  Mr.  Bradbury  as  president  of  Eureka 
Club.  Mr.  Emery  was  an  earnest  and  able  worker  in  the  cause 
of  temperance,  and  his  selection  for  this  high  office  proved  a 
judicious  choice.  At  nearly  every  meeting  new  names  were 
added,  and  the  total  membership  increased  to  nearly  two  hundred 


*  Mr.  Luce  was  certainly  secretary  of  the  club  soon  after  its  organization,   but 
the  writer  is  unable  to  learn  positively  that  he  was  the  first  secretary. 


260  HISTORY   OF   INDUSTRY 

and  fifty  by  spring.  The  meetings  were  continued  at  intervals 
through  the  following  summer,  and  in  the  fall  the  club  celebrated 
its  first  anniversary.  The  exercises  of  this  occasion  were  held 
in  the  Union  Church  at  West's  Mills  and  consisted  of  an  oration, 
spirited  remarks  on  temperance,  besides  cither  interesting  and 
instructive  features.  A  large  delegation  from  the  Madison 
Bridge  Club  was  present  and  participated  in  the  celebration. 
The  oration  was  delivered  by  Rev.  Silas  F.  Strout,  the  minister 
in  charge  of  the  M.  E.  Church  on  Industry  circuit,  and  was  pro- 
nounced an  able  effort  by  all  present.  While  the  club  and  its 
visitors  were  at  the  church  the  ladies  were  busily  engaged  in 
preparing  a  bountiful  repast  at  Norton's  Hall,  whither  the  corn- 
pan)'  repaired  after  the  closing  exercises.  Here  a  pleasant  hour 
was  spent  around  the  social  board  and  the  time  of  parting  came 
only  too  soon.  When  the  visitors  departed  it  was  with  many 
good  wishes  for  the  success  of  Eureka  Club  and  the  pros- 
perity of  its  members.  The  meetings  were  continued  through 
the  winter  of  1878-9,  but  with  a  lessening  degree  of  interest  in 
consequence  of  dissatisfaction  and  withdrawal  of  some  of  the 
prominent  members  of  the  club.  During  the  next  summer  the 
meetings  were  held  at  intervals  less  and  less  frequent,  until  at 
length  they  ceased  entirely.  John  E.  Johnson  and  John  W. 
Frederic  were  among  the  presiding  officers  in  addition  to  those 
already  mentioned.  The  good  influences  of  the  Iron  Clad  Club 
over  the  intemperate  portion  of  the  community  can  hardly  be 
estimated,  and  though  nearly  a  decade  has  elapsed  since  it  ceased 
to  hold  meetings  its  influence;  still  lives.  It  is  a  noteworthy  fact 
that  but  three  times  in  the  history  of  the  town  have  the  municipal 
officers  appointed  a  liquor  agent  as  the  law  permits  them  to  do. 
Another  fact  showing  the  good  results  of  temperance  work  in 
Industry  is  the  fact  that  in  1884,  when  the  prohibitory  constitu- 
tional amendment  came  before  the  people,  the  vote  in  this  town 

Stood  :     Yes,    ~()  ;     \'()i    19. 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

REMINISCENCES. 

Religious  Views  of  the  Early  Settlers. — Strict  Observance  of  the  Sabbath. — Destitute 
Circumstances. —  Agricultural  Implements. —  Bread-Baking. —  Substitutes  for 
Cooking  Soda. — The  Luxuries  of  Pioneer  Life. — Methods  of  Starting  a  Fire. — 
Harvesting  Grain. — Depredations  of  Bears. — A  Good  Bear  Story. — Cows  and 
Swine  Allowed  to  Roam  at  Will  in  the  Woods. —  Spinning  and  Weaving. — Do- 
mestic "Tow  and  Linen  "  Cloth. — Flax-Culture. — Wool-Crowing  in  Industry. — 
The  Tin  Baker. —  Introduction  of  Cooking-Stoves.  —  First  Thorough-braced 
Wagon  Brought  to  Town.- — Shoe-Making. — First  Threshing-Machine. — Sewing- 
Machines.—  Movving-Machines.  — "  Air-tight  "  Cooking-Stoves.  —  Methods  of 
Measuring  the  Flight  of  Time. —  The  Hour-Glass. —  Sun-Dials. — -Clocks. — Nails. 
—  Methods  of  Lighting  the  Settlers'  Homes. — Tallow  Dips. — Whale  Oil. — Burn- 
ing Fluid. — Kerosene. — Sugar-Making. — Intentions  of  Marriage. — Quill  Pens. — 
Anecdotes,  Etc. 

The  customs  and  manners  of  the  early  settlers  in  Industry 
were  so  different  from  those  of  the  present  day,  that  the  author 
devotes  an  entire  chapter  to  their  consideration.  With  few  ex- 
ceptions, the  first  settlers  came  from  Martha's  Vineyard,  and 
were  strictly  Puritanic  in  their  religious  views.  A  rigid  observ- 
ance of  the  Sabbath,  which  with  them  usually  began  at  sunset 
on  Saturday  evening,  was  enjoined  on  all,  and  when  the  town 
was  incorporated  several  tything-men  were  chosen,  whose  sole 
duty  consisted  in  keeping  a  sharp  lookout  for  Sabbath-breakers. 
To  the  log-cabin  of  the  early  pioneers  in  Industry,  poverty  and 
want  were  no  strangers.  Money  was  scarce,  roads  almost  im- 
passable, and  markets  for  produce  a  long  way  off.  Food  and 
clothing  were  of  the  coarsest  quality,  and  not  infrequently  in- 
sufficient in  quantity.  The  agricultural  and  household  imple- 
ments were  few  in  number  and  of  the  most  primitive  sort. 
When  a  clearing  had  been  made  and  the  grain  sown,  a  hoe  was 


33 


HISTORY    OF   rNDUSTRY. 

often  used  to  cover  the  seed  for  want  of  a  harrow  and  a  suit- 
able team  to  drag  it.  Hay  and  grain  were  usually  hauled  on 
sleds  or  carried  to  the  place  of  stacking,  by  two  men,  on  a 
couple  of  long  slender  poles.  The  plow  of  the  settler  was  a 
rude,  clumsy  affair, — a  mould-board  hewed  out  of  wood  and 
covered  with  a  mail  of  iron.  With  such  an  implement  it  is 
plain  to  be  seen  that  plowing  could  be  done  only  in  the  most 
imperfect  manner,  in  fact,  it  was  but  a  step  in  advance  of  the 
modes  of  tilling  the  soil  as  practiced  by  the  ancient  nations. 
The  hoes,  like  the  plows,  were  heavy,  awkward  affairs,  ham- 
mered out  by  the  nearest  blacksmith,  with  a  sapling  from  tin- 
forest  for  a  handle  Doubtless  in  their  day,  these  were  con 
sidered  very  effective  instruments,  but  to-day  there  is  not  a  boy 
in  town  who  would  consider  one  of  them  suitable  to  dig  bail 
enough  for  a  day's  fishing.  The  scythes  were  formed  by  the 
hand  of  the  same  artisan  who  made  the  hoes,  and  the  snath 
was  of  the  same  material  as  the  handle  of  the  hoe,  only  of  a 
r  size.  The  scythe  was  hung  to  a  straight  snath,  which 
was  grasped  in  the  hands  while  mowing,  nibs,  or  handles,  not 
having  come  into  use  in  those  days.  To  mow  with  such  an 
implement  must  have  been  very  fatiguing,  for  while  at  work 
the  farmer  was  obliged  to  stand  nearly  half  bent.  The  boys, 
whose  duty  it  was  to  do  the  tedding,  were  supplied  with 
"  tedding-sticks  "  made  from  small  saplings  pointed  at  both  ends, 
with  which  the  hay  was  thrown  to  the  right  and  left,  using  each 
end  of  the  stick  alternately.  After  the  hay  was  properly  cured 
it  was  usually  stacked  in  close  proximity  to  the  hovel  where'  the 
cow  and  other  stock  was  kept  during  the  winter. 

The  bread  for  the  family,  usually  made  of  corn  meal,  was 
either  cooked  on  a  board  before  the  open  lire,  in  the  cabin,  or 
in  an  oven  built  of  flat  stones  laid  in  clay  mortar,  which  was 
"blasted"  whenever  the  supply  of  that  needful  article  became 
low.  Soda  or  saleratus  was  not  known  in  those  days,  but  many 
substitutes  for  it  were  devised  by  the  frugal  housewife.  One  of 
these  was  the  burning  of  corn-cobs,  which  made  very  white  and 
strongly  alkaline  ashes,  which  were  used  much  in  the  same 
manner  as  the  soda  ol    to-day.      Sugar  and  molasses,  save  what 


REMINISCENL  ES.  -  < )  3 

was  made  from  the  sap  of  the  rock-maple,  were  luxuries  seldom 
if   ever    seen    in    the    home    of    the    hardy    pioneer.      Friction 

matches,  now  an  indispensable  article  in  every  household,  were 
unknown  in  the  early  days  of  the  town.  Various  expedients 
were  resorted  to  in  lighting  the  fires;  one  of  the  most  common 
ways  of  keeping  lire  over  night  was  to  cover  up  a  brand 
with  coals  and  hot  ashes  in  the  large  open  fire-place.  Some- 
kept  a  box  of  tinder  which  was  ignited  by  a  spark  produced  by 
striking  flint  against  steel.  Others  would  put  a  little  powder  in 
the  pan  of  their  flint-lock  musket,  and  with  the  Hash  of  the  pow- 
der ignite  a  bunch  of  tow.  Occasionally,  when  none  of  these 
conveniences  for  starting  a  fire  were  at  hand,  a  brand  would  be 
borrowed  from  a  neighboring  settler's  tire.  If  the  distance  was 
long,  a  slow  match  would  be  made  by  tightly  rolling  a  live  coal 
in  a  piece  of  linen  rag.  In  this  manner  fire  was  sometimes 
carried  more  than  a  mile. 

The  grain  when  ready  to  harvest  was  usually  reaped  and 
bound  into  bundles  or  sheaves,  and  when  thoroughly  dried  was 
threshed  with  the  old-fashioned  Hails.  When  corn  was  planted 
the  bears  proved  a  source  of  much  annoyance  by  eating  and 
destroying  large  quantities  after  the  kernel  was  filled.  To  pre- 
vent these  depredations  fires  were  sometimes  kindled  around  the 
piece  at  nightfall  and  kept  burning  until  morning.  An  Indian 
named  Pierpole,  who  lived  for  many  years  on  the  Sandy  River 
in  Farmington  and  Strong,  would  sometimes  come  and  watch 
for  bears  and  seldom  it  was,  indeed,  that  the  black  marauder 
escaped  his  steady  aim.  In  connection  with  these  depredations 
the  following  interesting  adventure  is  related  of 

JAMES    GOWER    AND    THE    BEAR. 

In  1 8 19  James  Gower  owned  and  occupied  the  house  at 
Allen's  (then  Gower's )  Mills  now  owned  by  Herbert  B.  Luce. 
1  le  also  owned  a  grist-mill  a  little  below  the  house,  on  the 
stream  at  the  outlet  of  the  pond,  and  sometimes  a  pressure  ol 
work  at  the  mill  would  compel  him  to  work  nearly  half  of  the 
night. 

On  the  high  ground  to  the  west  of  the  mill  Mr.  Gower  had 


264  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

a  patch  of  corn  enclosed  by  a  log  fence.  A  bear  made  frequent 
nocturnal  visits  to  this  cornfield,  much  to  the  annoyance  of  its 
owner.  Bruin  would  gain  entrance  by  tearing  down  a  length  of 
fence  and  usually  passed  out  at  his  place  of  entrance. 

"Happening  into  his  mill  late  one  afternoon,"  writes  Mr. 
Truman  A.  Allen,  "  1  found  Mr.  Gower  with  a  neighbor  planning 
a  scheme  for  the  capture  of  the  depredator  that  very  night. 
Going  to  the  house  Mr.  Gower  soon  returned  with  an  old  flint- 
lock musket  of  Revolutionary  fame.  The  gun  was  in  a  sad 
condition,  the  barrel  all  eaten  with  rust  and  the  lock  separated 
from  the  stock.  Scouring  it  up  as  best  he  could,  he  oiled  the 
lock  and  fastened  it  in  its  proper  place  by  a  couple  of  wooden 
pins.  Then  to  make  the  parts  still  more  solid  a  tow  bag-string 
was  tied  around  the  whole.  The  next  thing  in  order  was  to 
load  this  formidable  weapon.  A  large  handful  of  powder  was 
poured  into  the  barrel  and  a  huge  wad  rammed  down  on  top 
of  it.  Then  two  leaden  bullets,  weighing  one  ounce  each  and 
wrapped  in  a  rag  to  make  them  fit  the  bore  of  the  weapon,  were 
also  rammed  home."  By  this  time  the  barrel  of  the  old  musket 
was  nearly  half-full,  "  and,"  says  Mr.  Allen,  "  it  was  a  question  of 
doubt  in  my  boyish  mind  whether  the  miller  or  the  bear  would 
be  killed."  The  manner  of  attack  decided  upon  was  to  be  a 
flank  movement  from  the  north,  as  the  wind  was  blowing  from 
the  south.  Mr.  Gower  was  to  lead  the  van  with  his  gun,  fol- 
lowed  by  his  aid  carrying  an  axe,  and  a  lantern  concealed  in  a 
bag.  Mr.  Allen,  then  a  lad  of  nine  years,  volunteered  to  carry 
the  bag,  but  was  coolly  informed  that  it  was  high  time  that  all 
babies  were  at  home  and  in  their  beds.  The  next  morning  he 
was  up  bright  and  early,  after  dreaming  of  bears  all  night. 
Eating  a  hasty  breakfast  he  hurried  to  the  cornfield.  Here  he 
found  some  half-dozen  men  standing  in  a  circle  around  some 
object  and  was  soon  among  them. 

There  la)-  the  bear  with  two  round  holes  in  his  head.  The 
story  of  the  capture  which  he  then  heard  was  as  follows:  "At 
ten  o'clock  Mr.  Gower  stopped  his  mill  and  extinguished  the 
lights.  After  waiting  an  hour  they  noiselessly  proceeded  to  the 
cornfield  and  found  the   bear  already  there,  evidently  enjoying 


REMINISCENCES.  265 

his  meal  of  the  succulent  green  corn.  Approaching  within 
twenty  yards  of  the  bear  without  being  discovered,  the  miller 
took  deliberate  aim  and  fired.  His  aid  immediately  drew  the 
lantern  from  the  bag  and  rushed  forward  to  learn  the  result  of 
the  shot.  Finding  the  bear  hors  de  combat,  he  returned  to  look 
for  the  miller,  but  lo,  he  was  not  to  be  found  where  he  had  stood 
when  he  fired  the  shot.  After  some  search  he  was  found  some 
distance  away,  apparently  in  an  unconscious  condition.  He 
revived,  however,  and  with  the  exception  of  a  few  severe  bruises 
was  soon  all  right.  The  gun  was  found  the  next  morning 
somewhere  in  the  lot." 

Soon  a  pair  of  oxen  hitched  to  a  drag  came  along,  and  the 
bear  was  hauled  down  to  the  mill  where  he  tipped  the  scales  at 
four  hundred  pounds.  Thus  ended  one  of  Industry's  most 
famous  bear  hunts. 

If  the  settler  was  fortunate  enough  to  own  a  cow,  a  bell  was 
suspended  from  her  neck  and  she  was  allowed  to  wander  through 
the  forest  at  her  own  sweet  will.  Hogs  were  marked  and,  like 
the  cows,  turned  loose  in  the  early  spring  and  were  not  driven 
home  until  it  was  time  to  fatten  them  in  the  fall. 

After  the  early  settlers  had  become  well  established  in  their 
new  homes,  the  whir-r-whir-r  of  the  spinning-wheel  and  the 
rattle  of  the  loom  were  familiar  sounds  in  many  cabins,  and 
by  their  aid  the  industrious  housewife  wrought  nearly  every 
tyard  of  fabric  from  which  her  own  and  her  family's  wardrobes 
were  replenished.  Flax  was  extensively  cultivated,  and  the 
little  foot-wheels  whereon  the  fibre  was  twisted  into  thread  can 
occasionally  be  found.  Home-made  tow  and  linen  cloth  were 
the  housewife's  main  reliance,  and  from  them  was  made  a  large 
portion  of  all  the  clothing  worn  by  her  family.  When  the  flax 
was  ready  to  harvest  no  small  amount  of  labor  was  required  to 
prepare  it  for  the  spinner.  After  it  was  pulled,  dried  and 
deprived  of  the  seed,  the  stalks  were  spread  upon  the  ground 
to  be  rotted  by  the  alternate  action  of  the  dew  and  sunshine. 
This  process  rendered  the  woody  portion  of  the  stalk  brittle, 
but  left  the  tough  fibre  intact.  The  bundles  were  then  re-bound 
and  packed  away  to  await  the  leisure  of  the  winter  months.      It 


266  HISTORY  OF  rNDUSTRY. 

was  then  broken,  swingled,  hatcheled  and  spun  into  thread. 
The  hatcheling,  as  well  as  the  spinning,  was  done  by  the  madam. 
There  is  a  tradition  that  Industry's  first  representative*  in  the 
Legislature  was  clad  in  garments  all  of  which  were  manufactured 
by  members  of  his  own  family. 

Sheep  were  kept  and  woolen  cloth  was  also  made.  It  is  a 
matter  of  regret  that  no  statistics  exist  from  which  a  reliable 
estimate  of  the  conditions  of  this  industry  can  be  made. 
Greenleaf  in  his  Survey  of  Maine,  published  in  1829,  on  page 
210,  says:  "Sheep  form  an  important  part  of  the  agri- 
cultural capita]  of  the  State,  their  products  form  much  of  its 
annual  income,  and  will  probably  at  some  day  constitute  one  of 
the  principal,  if  not  the  staple,  commodities  of  the  state.  It  is 
to  be  regretted  that  no  returns  have  been  made  of  this  valuable 
animal  with  which  the  State  abounds,  nor  any  data  exist  from 
which  an  estimate,  to  be  depended  on  for  any  considerable 
degree  of  accuracy,  can  be  drawn.  It  is  known  that  besides 
furnishing  the  material  for  a  large  part  of  the  clothing  of  the 
inhabitants  and  not  a  small  part  of  their  food,  large  numbers 
are  annually  driven  to  other  New  England  States;  how  many 
we  have  no  means  of  knowing  except  from  an  account  of  the 
number  which  passed  Haverhill  and  Piscataqua  Bridges  in  1827, 
which  was  more  than  3300." 

In  1832,  the  earliest  date  of  which  we  have  an)'  reliable  in- 
formation, there  were  663  sheep  owned  in  Industry.  The  fact 
that  Wm.  Cornforth,  who  came  to  Industry  in  1817,  built  a  full- 
ing-mill soon  after  his  arrival  in  town  also  shows  that  woolen 
cloth  must  have  been  extensively  made  at  this  early  date.  As 
the  manufacture  of  that  commodity  pre-supposes  the  raising  of 
wool,  it  would  be  but  reasonable  to  infer  that  the  introduction  of 
sheep  was  nearly  contemporaneous  with  the  settlement  of  the 
town. 

The  first  innovation  made  in  the  earl)-  methods  of  cooking 
was  by  the  introduction  of  the  tin  baker,  brought  into  town  by 
the    ubiquitous    John    Smith,   a    tin-peddler   from    Cumberland 

*  James  I  lavis. 


REMINISCENCES.  267 

Count}'.  These  bakers  were  first  used  about  1S30,  and  were 
considered  a  great  improvement.  Deacon  Ira  Emery  bought 
one  of  the  very  first  sold  in  this  town.  The  deacon  also  bought 
the  first,  or  one  of  the  first,  cook-stoves  ever  used  in  town. 
This  he  purchased  in  Augusta  in  the  winter  of  1836.  A  few 
years  after  that  Mr.  Crowell,  of  Xew  Sharon,  introduced  the 
Hampden  stove,  having  an  elevated  oven,  which  afterwards 
came  into  very  general  use.  In  this  instance  Deacon  Emery 
bought  the  first  and  General  Nathan  Goodridge  the  second  one 
used  in  town.  The  first  cast-iron  plows  were  brought  into  town 
by  Captain  Martin  Moore,  who  moved  on  to  the  farm  on  "  Mount 
Hungar"  in  Stark,  now  owned  by  the  heirs  of  James  Brackett. 
These  plows  were  made  of  poor  iron  and  proved  decidedly  un- 
satisfactory to  Deacon  Emery  and  others  who  bought  them. 
Later  a  better  built  plow  was  offered  for  sale  which  eventually 
became  very  popular  in  this  town  as  well  as  elsewhere.  The 
first  thorough-braced  wagon  was  brought  into  town  by  Thomas 
Meade,  from  Bridgton,  somewhere  between  1 830  and  [834. 
James  Stanley,  then  living  between  where  Davis  Look  and 
David  W.  Merry  now  live,  bought  it  of  Meade.  This  carriage 
was  'Squire  Stanley's  special  pride,  as  well  as  the  wonder  and 
envy  of  the  neighborhood. 

Shoe-making  for  the  most  part,  especially  in  large  families, 
was  done  by  some  itinerant  shoemaker  who,  with  his  kit  of  tools 
on  his  back,  would  wander  through  the  settlement  working  for 
whoever  desired  his  services.  Some  of  the  larger  families  would 
keep  him  employed  for  a  week  or  more.  Each  shoemaker  was 
obliged  to  make  his  own  pegs  and  his  shoe-thread  was  also 
home-made,  spun  from  flax  and  often  in  the  same  family  where 
it  was  used.  The  stock  was  bought,  not  by  the  shoemaker,  as 
is  the  custom  at  the  present  time,  but  by  the  settler  himself. 

General  Nathan  Goodridge  and  Ebenezer  Swift  were  the  first 
to  bring  a  threshing-machine  into  town.  This  machine  was 
probably  purchased  as  early  as  1837.  It  consisted  of  a  double 
horse  power  and  an  iron  beater,  without  any  accessory  machin- 
ery for  separating  and  winnowing  the  grain.  The  latter  operation 
was  usually  performed  by  the  men  with  a  hand-mill,  in  the  even- 


268  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

ing  after  the  completion  of  the  day's  work  with  the  machine. 
More  recently  machines  with  a  winnowing  attachment  were  con- 
structed which  soon  superseded  all  others. 

The  sewing-machine  was  first  used  in  Industry  in  the  family 
of  Rev.  Simeon  \V.  Pierce,  in  i860.  This  was  an  Elias  Howe 
machine,  sewing  what  is  known  as  a  chain-stitch.  The  lock- 
stitch machine  soon  followed,  and  so  rapidly  has  this  valuable 
invention  gained  favor  in  the  past  twenty-five  years  that  more 
than  three-fourths  of  the  families  in  town  arc  now  using  it. 
About  the  time  of  the  introduction  of  the  sewing-machine  Al- 
bert Shaw;  bought  a  mowing-machine,  which  he  continued  to 
use  on  his  farm  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1868.*  Gen. 
Nathan  Goodridge  purchased  a  machine  about  the  same  time 
or  soon  after  Mr.  Shaw,  and  in  1866  George  W.  Johnson  bought 
and  used  the  first  Buckeye  mowing-machine  ever  seen  in  In- 
dustry. 

The  Hampden  stove,  of  which  previous  mention  has  been 
made,  was  very  popular  and  extensively  used  for  man}-  years. 
Its  enormous  fire-box  gave  it  a  remarkable  capacity  for  consum- 
ing fuel  and,  as  a  natural  consequence,  it  proved  a  great  heat 
generator.  When  the  box  or  "  air-tight  "  cook-stoves,  as  they 
were  sometimes  called,  first  made  their  appearance  they  were 
regarded  with  much  disfavor,  and  up  to  the  year  i860  were  little 
used  in  this  town.  Since  then,  however,  they  have  steadily 
gained  favor  and  have  entirely  supplanted  their  former  rival. 

Among  the  early  settlers  various  methods  of  ascertaining 
the  flight  of  time  were  adopted.  Some  used  a  sand-glass,  the 
contents  of  which  would  run  from  one  compartment  of  the  in- 
strument to  the  other  in  a  given  time,  usually  an  hour.  Others 
made  use  of  the  sun-dial,  which  was  a  rather  uncertain  chron- 
icler, as  the  sun  southed  at  a  different  time  nearly  ever)'  day  in 
the  year.  At  night  the  hour  was  predicted  from  the  position  of 
certain  stars;    but  on  a  cloudy  night  how  lonely  must  have  been 


1  lompared  with  the  latest  improved  machines,  Mr.  Shaw's  mower  was  a  clumsy 
affair,  and  quite  expensive.  Yet  it  did  its  work  well  and  was  a  qn-at  improvement 
over  the  hand  scythe.  This  machine,  known  as  the  Union  Mower,  cost  about  $150, 
as  nearly  as  can  be  learned. 


REMINISCENCES.  269 

the  vigil  of  the  anxious  watcher  !  The  first  clocks  brought  into 
town  were  made  of  wood  without  cases.  They  were  manufac- 
tured by  S.  Hoadley,  of  Plymouth,  Connecticut,  and  cost  up- 
ward of  twenty  dollars.  The  cases  were  made  by  some  ingen- 
ious carpenter,  or  they  were  occasionally  suspended  from  the 
wall  and  run  without  a  case.  The  Seth  Thomas  clock  was  a 
good  time-keeper  and  also  quite  popular  in  its  day.  The 
Hoadley  and  Thomas  clocks  were  much  alike  in  their  construc- 
tion. 

Nails  were  hammered  out,  one  at  a  heat,  at  the  blacksmith's 
forge  in  early  times,  and  consequently  were  very  expensive. 
Indeed,  but  few  could  afford  them,  and  in  many  instances  boards 
were  fastened  to  the  frames  of  buildings  with  wooden  pins. 

The  cheerful  glow  of  the  fire  in  the  large  open  fire-place, 
with  its  fore-log  and  back-log,  was  the  only  evening  light  of 
which  the  cabin  of  the  early  settler  could  boast.  After  a  time 
the  tallow  dips  came  into  use.  These  were  made,  as  their  name 
indicates,  by  dipping  wicks  of  cotton  into  melted  tallow  and 
allowing  them  to  cool,  then  repeating  the  process  until  the  dip 
attained  the  required  size.  To  economize  time  a  dozen  wicks 
would  be  suspended  from  a  slender  rod,  all  of  which  were  dipped 
into  the  melted  tallow  at  the  same  time.  Even  so  simple  a 
matter  as  "dipping  candles"  required  skill  and  judgment  to 
produce  a  candle,  firm  in  texture,  which  would  burn  with  a  clear 
steady  light.  In  this  manner  the  thrifty  housewife  would  make 
her  year's  supply  of  candles  and  suspend  them  from  a  numer- 
ously-branched hook  for  safe  keeping.  Moulded  candles  were 
also  used  to  some  extent,  but  at  first  when  only  a  single  or  per- 
haps a  double  mould  was  used  the  process  was  slow  and  incon- 
venient. Lamps  for  burning  fish-oil  were  afterwards  introduced 
to  some  extent,  but  the  oil  had  its  disadvantages.  A  burning- 
fluid,  composed  of  camphene  and  alcohol,  was  used  by  a  limited 
number.  It  gave  a  very  good  light,  but  was  quite  expensive. 
Most  people  regarded  it  as  very  dangerous,  hence  but  few  had 
the  hardihood  to  use  it. 

Kerosene  oil  was  first  used  in  Industry  about  1861  or  1862. 
Like  other  radical  innovations  upon  established  methods,  it  was 


34 


270  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

regarded  with  much  disfavor  at  first,  but  its  illuminating  quali- 
ties were  so  excellent  that  it  rapidly  gained  favor  and  soon  came 
to  be  very  generally  used. 

The  method  of  making  maple-sugar  has  also  undergone  im- 
portant changes  since  the  first  settler  notched  the  trees  with  his 
axe,  caught  the  sap  in  birch-bark  buckets  and  "boiled  it  down  " 
in  large  iron  kettles  out  of  doors.*  William  Allen,  Jr.,  one 
spring  soon  after  his  father  settled  in  town,  made  nine  hundred 
pounds  of  sugar  in  this  way  by  his  own  unaided  labor.  Other 
settlers  also  made  it  in  large  quantities. 

Formerly  all  intentions  of  marriage  were  "cried,"  at  public 
religious  meetings,  for  three  Sundays  in  succession. f  The  town 
clerk  acted  as  crier  on  these  occasions,  and  undoubtedly  his 
announcements  sometimes  created  qnite  a  sensation  among 
the  assembled  worshipers.  Subsequently  a  written  copy  of  the 
intention  was  posted,  usually  on  the  meeting-house,  which  sup- 
planted the  custom  of  "  crying."}  From  Oct.  6,  1863,  to  June 
10,  1 868,  ever)-  certificate  of  intention  of  marriage,  from  the 
town  clerk,  required  a  five-cent  revenue  stamp  to  render  it 
valid. 

Business  writing  and  correspondence  were  practiced  under 
difficulties  wholly  unknown  to  the  modern  letter-writer.  Quill 
pens  were  then  used,  and  the  writer  must  needs  make  and  fre- 
quently thereafter  mend  his  own  pen.  Indeed,  it  was  as  much 
a  part  of  the  pupil's  education  to  become  skilled  in  making 
and  mending  pens  as  it  was  to  form  the  letters  with  neatness 
and  accuracy.      Without  the  one  the  other  was  hardly  attainable. 


*  The  first  patent  sap-evaporator  in  town  was  purchased  and  used  by  Thomas  A 
Allen,  about    1883. 

t  Years  ago  a  queer  custom  prevailed  in  newly-settled  towns,  where  large  num- 
bers of  swine  were  turned  loose  to  roam  the  woods.  Each  year,  at  the  annual 
meeting,  several  hog-reeves  were  elected  to  capture  and  impound  all  hogs  found 
trespassing  on  the  settlers' growing  crops.  Whenever  a  marriage  occurred  in  the 
settlement,  the  happj  groom  was  sure  to  In-  elected  hog-reeve  at  the  next  annual 
meeting. 

%  The  author  recollects  of  frequently  hearing,  in  his  younger  days,  of  persons 
being  "posted"  when  their  intention  of  marriage  had  been  entered  with  the  town 
clerk,  long  after  the  practice  had    fallen  into  disuse. 


REMINISCENCES.  2/1 

A  deft  hand  was  required  to  successfully  whittle,  point  and 
split  a  quill  pen.  For  this  purpose  a  sharp,  small-bladed  knife 
was  used,  which  thus  gained  the  name  of  "  pen-knife."  The 
final  and  most  difficult  part  of  pen-making  was  to  cut  and  split 
a  point.  Concerning  this  operation  the  following  homely,  but 
oft-repeated  quatrain  was  their  guide: 

"  Cut  it  on  wood, 

'Twill  never  be  good; 
Cut  it  on  your  nail, 
Twill  never  fail." 

Although  quill  pens  have  long  since  gone  out  of  use,  pen- 
knives are  still  sold  by  nearly  every  dealer  in  cutlery.  Large 
sheets  of  heavy  unruled  paper  were  generally  used.  Envelopes 
were  unknown.  In  correspondence  the  address  was  placed  on 
the  back  of  the  sheet,  which  was  then  folded  and  sealed  either 
with  wafers  or  sealing-wax. 

Among  the  queer  people  of  Industry  in  its  early  days  was 
an  itinerant  shoemaker  by  the  name  of  Morse.  This  nomadic 
cordwainer  used  to  travel  through  the  town  and  work  up  the 
settler's  supply  of  leather  into  boots  and  shoes  for  the  family. 
Morse  was  an  inveterate  story-teller  and  noted  for  his  habit  of 
exaggeration.  Once  while  at  work  for  Capt.  Benjamin  Manter 
he  entertained  his  employer  with  an  account  of  an  enormous 
Indian  pudding  which  he  once  made.  "Why,"  said  he,  "  it  was 
so  large  that  when  the  people  gathered  around  it  and  began  to 
eat,  those  on  one  side  ate  a  little  too  fast,  the  mass  lost  its  equi- 
librium and  tumbled  over,  killing  two  men  and  a  dog.  After 
this,"  continued  the  narrator,  "to  prevent  further  loss  of  life  a 
law  was  passed  prohibiting  the  use  of  more  than  ten  bushels  of 
meal  in  a  single  pudding." 

A  good  story  is  told  of  Dr.  Jonathan  Ambrose  at  the  expense 
of  Dr.  John  A.  Barnard.  Dr.  B.  was  a  very  spare  pale-faced 
person  with  black  hair  and  flowing  beard,  which  rendered  the 
paleness  of  his  countenance  all  the  more  striking.  On  one  oc- 
casion Doctor  Ambrose  asked  his  opinion  in  regard  to  some 
real  or  fancied  ill.  After  a  careful  examination  Doctor  B.,  who 
was  something  of  a  wag,  said  in  hollow,  sepulchral  tones,  "  Doc- 


2/2  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

tor,  I  think  you  arc  very  near  to  the  boundless  shores  of  eternity." 
"  I  believe  you  are  right,"  quickly  replied  Doctor  A.,  in  his 
peculiar  squeaky  voice,  "  one  ghost  has  already  appeared 
to   me." 

A  good  story  is  related  concerning  a  camp-meeting  held  by 
Father  Thompson  over  half  a  century  ago. 

There  had  been  considerable  revival  interest  manifested,  and 
many  lost  sheep  had  been  gathered  into  the  fold.  One  morning 
good  Father  Thompson  took  for  his  text  the  words  of  the  Lord 
unto  Moses  from  the  burning  bush  :  "  Put  off  thy  shoes  from 
off  thy  feet ;  for  the  place  whereon  thou  standest  is  holy  ground." 
On  hearing  which  Mr.  B.,  a  gentleman  from  a  neighboring  town, 
who  had  just  passed  "  From  darkness  unto  light,"  and  who  de- 
termined to  obey  the  scriptures  in  the  literal  as  well  as  the 
spiritual  sense,  immediately  removed  his  shoes,  which  he  did  not 
replace  until  the  close  of  the  services. 

An  amusing  anecdote  is  related  of  an  Indian  named  Takoo- 
sa,  of  the  Nantacket  tribe,  who  once  lived  in  Industry. 

(  )nc  very  cold  morning  Capt.  Benjamin  Manter,  meeting  him 
on  the  road,  bantered  him  in  regard  to  his  half-clothed  conditon 
and  remarked,  "  I  should  think  you  would  be  cold,"  to  which  the 
Indian  replied  : 

"  Is  your  face  cold,  Mr.  Manter?" 

"  No,"  replied  Capt.  M. 

"Well,  me  all  face,"  was  Takoosa's  laconic  reply. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

EVENTS  FROM  1830  TO  i860. 

Condition  of  the  Town. —  Population. —  Valuation. —  Small-pox  Scare. — -Attempt  to 
Change  the  Centre  Post-Office  to  Withee's  Corner. — First  Public  House  ( (pened. 
— Extensive  Land-owners. — Large  Stock-owners. — Effect  of  the  High  Tariff  on 
the  Inhabitants  of  Industry. — Residents  in  the  South  Part  of  the  Town  Ask  to 
be  Made  Citizens  of  New  Sharon. — Remarkable  Meteoric  Shower. — "Temperance 
Hotel  "  Opened. — (  Hher  Public  Houses. — Financial  Crisis  of  1837. — ^  nc  Surplus 
Revenue  Distributed. — Auroral  Display. — Franklin  County  Incorporated. — Diffi- 
culties in  Choice  of  Representative. — Prevalence  of  the  Millerite  Doctrine. — End 
of  the  World  Predicted. — 7000  Acres  Set  off  from  New  Vineyard  and  Annexed 
to  Industry. — Vigorous  Fight  of  the  Former  Town  to  Recover  its  Lost  Territory. 
— The  Pioneers  of  Liberty. — Destructive  Hail-storm. — New  County  Roads  Estab- 
lished.— Subject  of  Erecting  a  Town-house  Discussed. — A  Grand  Sunday-School 
Picnic. — The  Free-Soil  Party. — Efforts  to  Suppress  Rumselling. — Town  Liquor 
Agents. — The  License  Law. — General  Prosperity  of  the  Town. — One-half  of  the 
New  Vineyard  Gore  Set  off  to  Farmington. — South  Point  of  the  Town  Set  off  to 
New  Sharon,  etc. 

The  town  of  Industry  entered  upon  a  new  decade  with 
brightening  prospects  for  its  future,  and  the  ten  years  succeeding 
rank  among  the  most  prosperous  in  its  history.  At  the  begin- 
ning of  this  decade  the  town  could  boast  of  three  churches 
(two  of  them  newly  erected),  two  post-offices,  four  stores  and 
a  population  of  902,  being  an  increase  of  nearly  sixteen  per 
cent,  in  the  last  ten  years.  There  were  in  town  one  hundred 
and  sixty-one  polls  of  the  age  of  twenty-one  years  or  more,  and 
the  whole  sum  of  money  raised  in  1830,  exclusive  of  county  tax, 
was  $682.  This  sum  making  the  rate  per  cent,  of  taxation  only 
twelve  mills  on  a  dollar,  taking  the  State  valuation  of  1831  as  a 
basis.  Not  yet  deprived  of  its  pristine  fertility  the  soil  yielded 
bountifully  and  corn,  wheat  and  rye  were  among  the  more  im- 
portant cereal  crops,  while  potatoes  yielded  at  the  rate  of  from 


274  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

three  to  five  hundred  bushels  per  acre.  Socially  a  new  era  was 
gradually  dawning  on  the  inhabitants  of  the  town.  The  refining 
influences  of  Christianity  were  gradually  pervading  the  land, 
and  under  its  benign  rule  they  were  fast  becoming  an  industri- 
ous, frugal  and  temperate  people.  True,  in  this  as  in  every 
town,  there  were  some  of  intemperate  habits  and  a  few  who 
were  idle  and  shiftless,  but  this  class  was  largely  in  the  minority.* 
Under  such  favorable  conditions  the  growth  of  the  town  was 
very  rapid — the  wealth  increasing  over  182  per  cent,  in  the  ten 
years,  while  the  growth  in  population  for  the  same  time  was 
only  a  fraction  over  I  5  per  cent. 

Feeling  keenly  the  need  of  better  roads  the  citizens  of  the 
town  voted,  at  their  annual  meeting  in  1830,  to  raise  $2000  for 
the  repair  of  highways,  it  being  the  largest  sum  ever  appropri- 
ated for  that  purpose  in  any  one  year.  At  the  same  meeting 
the  selectmen  were  instructed  "To  contract  with  some  physician 
to  inoculate  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  with  Kine  Pock  forth- 
with." From  the  peremptory  tone  of  these  instructions  it  may 
be  inferred  that  an  outbreak  of  small-pox  was  feared,  but  the 
author  has  not  been  able  to  learn  anything  definite  in  regard  to 
the  matter. f 


*  About  this  time  or  somewhat  earlier  a  circulating  library  was  established  at 
Allen's  Mills.  Though  small  in  size,  the  influence  it  exerted  upon  the  social  lives  of 
the  residents  in  that  part  of  the  town  was  great.  The  following  letter  from  Rev. 
Stephen  II.  Hayes  gives  all  the  information  the  writer  has  been  able  to  gather  con- 
cerning it : 

"  I  cannot  give  you  much  account  of  that  library,  but  it  was  a  great  affair  to  me 
who  sa\s  lew  1).  mks  in  my  childhood,  and  I  am  sure  it  was  regarded  in  like  manner 
by  my  associates.  It  was  called,  I  think,  the  "'Social  Library."  Benjamin  Allen  was 
the  librarian  and  it  was  kept  in  a  small  case  in  his  house.  I  think  there  were  less  than 
a  hundred  volumes,  such  as  Robertson's  History  of  America,  MacKcn/.ie's  Travels;  I 
think  it  was  Bary  (  CMeary's  Rife  of  Bonaparte  on  St.  Helena,  in  3  vols.;  some  of  the 
Waverly  novels.  This  was  the  character  of  the  books.  Boy  as  I  was,  I  read  them 
with  great  interest,  but  how  or  by  whom  it  was  originated  I  do  not  remember.  But 
lew  books  were  added,  those  in  it  were  gradually  scattered,  and  my  impression  is  that 
it  came  to  an  end.  But  that  small  library  had  no  small  influence  on  the  people  of 
that  neighborhood.  I  am  sons'  I  can  say  no  more,  but  1  am  glad  fir  you  to  know  of 
this  library,  but  I  suppose  few  of  the  people  you  have  known  had  any  knowledge  ol 
it.  But  it  was  a  treasure  to  the  people  of  my  generation  and  earlier— it  kindled  a 
taste  for  books — it  stirred  our  young  minds  and  was  pri/.ed  by  our  fathers." 

t  Rev.  Ira  Emery  writes  :  "  I  very  well  remember  a  small-pox  scare  about  the  time 


EVENTS  FROM  1830  TO  i860.  275 

In  the  fall  of  1830  the  inhabitants  in  the  southern  and  west- 
ern part  of  the  town  agitated  the  topic  of  changing  the  post- 
route  through  Industry  from  Winslow's  Corner  by  Davis's  Corner 
(now  Goodridge's),  and  from  thence  to  West's  Mills  so  that  the 
stage  would  go  by  Withce's  Corner  and  Esq.  Daniel  Shaw's 
direct  to  West's  Mills.  The  agitators  further  proposed  that  the 
post-office  at  Davis's  Corner  be  removed  to  Withee's  Corner, 
which  would  bring  it  directly  in  line  of  the  proposed  route.  At 
length  the  subject  reached  such  a  degree  of  importance  that  a 
town  meeting  was  called  to  consider  the  advisability  of  peti- 
tioning the  Postmaster  General  to  make  the  proposed  change. 
Though  the  agitators  may  have  deemed  their  prospects  of  suc- 
cess very  promising,  it  seems  a  majority  of  the  town  thought 
otherwise,  and  the  proposition  was  ignominiously  voted  down 
in  town  meeting,  and  both  office  and  post-route  remained  un- 
changed. 

A  notable  event  of  the  year  1832  was  the  opening  of  the 
first  public  house  in  Industry.  This  house  was  located  at  West's 
Mills,  on  the  lot  where  Oliver  Bros,  subsequently  built  their 
steam-mill  in  1 87 1-2,  and  Asaph  Boyden  and  wife  were  landlord 
and  landlady.  His  tavern  sign  was  a  plain,  unostentatious  affair 
and  bore  the  simple  inscription,  "A.  Boyden,  i8j2."  This  house 
supplied  a  long-felt  want,  and  the  good  accommodations  it 
afforded  soon  made  it  very  popular  with  the  traveling  public, 
and  the  enterprise  proved  a  remunerative  one. 

The  earliest  statistical  knowledge  of  Industry's  agricultural 
interests    is  also   for  the  forementioned    year.      At    that     time 


Boyden  swung  his  tavern  sign.  It  must  have  been  as  early  as  1832  and  near  the  time 
when  the  new  Canada  road  from  Quebec  to  the  State  line  was- opened.  Some  were 
afraid  foreigners  would  come  in  on  that  ruad  and  bring  the  small-pox.  There  was 
talk  of  asking  Mr.  Boyden  to  take  down  his  sign  as  a  preventive  measure.  In  this 
connection  I  am  reminded  of  a  little  incident.  In  those  years  strangers  were  not  often 
seen  in  the  little  village  of  West's  Mills.  On  a  Sabbath  daring  the  summer  of  1S32 
<>r  1S33  there  was  a  baptism  in  the  mill-stream  just  above  the  lower  bridge.  There  was 
present  a  stranger  of  gentlemanly  appearance,  well  dressed  and  civil— a  mere  looker- 
on.  Many  were  the  enquiries  made,  but  no  one  could  tell  who  he  was.  A  report  was 
currently  circulated  that  he  was  a  Spaniard.  In  the  estimation  of  us  boys  a  Spaniard 
was  next  akin  to  the  devil  himself,  and  thereafter  we  gazed  on  him  with  awe  ami 
wondered  that  Mr.  Boyden  should  put  up  such  people." 


2;6  HISTORY   OF  INDUSTRY. 

among  the  largest  land-owners  were  George  Ilobbs,  who  owned 
391  acres;  Esq.  Daniel  Shaw,  380  acres;  Widow  Annie  Norton, 
353  acres;  and  Nathaniel  M.  Davis,  341  acres.  Real  estate  to 
the  value  of  one  thousand  dollars  or  more  was  owned  by  the 
following  persons,  viz.:  Esq.  Peter  West,  $1900;  Nathaniel  M. 
Davis,  $1800;  Esq.  Daniel  Shaw,  $1800;  James  Winslow, 
$1600;  Widow  Annie  Norton,  $1500;  Esq.  James  Stanley, 
$1050;  Capt.  Ezekiel  Ilinkley  &  Son,  $1050  ;  Capt.  Valentine 
Look,  $1025  ;  William  Cornforth,  $1000  ;  Jacob  Hayes,  $1000  ; 
Jonathan  Trask,  $1000. 

There  were  six  hundred  and  sixty-three  sheep  in  town  at 
that  time,  and  Esq.  Daniel  Shaw,  whose  flock  numbered  160,  was 
the  largest  individual  owner.  James  Stanley  was  the  next 
largest  sheep-owner,  having  a  flock  of  140.  The  inventory  of 
neat  stock  was  as  follows:  Oxen,  223  ;  cows  and  heifers,  three- 
years-old,  484.  Hogs,  281.  Dairying  and  stock-raising  were 
given  much  attention,  and  several  farmers  kept  large  herds  of 
r<>\\  s.  James  Winslow,  one  of  the  most  thriving  and  prosperous 
farmers  in  town,  owned  twelve  cows,  and  Nathaniel  M.  Davis, 
Esq.,  John  Gower,  Capt.  Moses  Tolman,  and  Jonathan  Trask 
each  owned  a  herd  of  ten  cows.  Numerous  others  owned  herds 
nearly  as  large  as  those  mentioned.  The  following  persons 
owned  personal  property  to  the  value  of  $400  or  more:  Esq. 
James  Stanley,  $1409;  Esq.  Daniel  Shaw,  $1343;  Nathaniel 
M.  Davis,  $658;  Jonathan  Trask,  $434;  James  Winslow,  $544  ; 
Esq.  Peter  West,  $478;  Esq.  John  Gower,  $449;  Cornelius 
Davis,  $443.  The  poll  tax  assessed  this  year  was  the  small 
sum  of  eighty-eight  cents  per  capita. 

The  high  tariff  adopted  during  the  presidency  of  John 
Quincy  Adams,  for  the  purpose  of  protecting  American  manu- 
factures from  the  competition  of  foreign  importations,  became 
oppressive  and  burdensome  to  those  engaged  in  agricultural 
pursuits.  This  tariff,  which  imposed  a  high  tax  on  many 
necessaries  of  life,  proved  a  great  burden  to  the  inhabitants  of 
Industry,  many  of  whom  were  just  emerging  from  the  hardships 
and  privations  incident  to  all  newly-settled  towns.  Andrew 
Jackson   succeeded   Adams,   and   during   his   administration   the 


EVENTS  FROM   1830  TO  i860.  277 

tariff  question  assumed  formidable  proportions.  Congress 
further  increased  the  burden  by  imposing  a  still  higher  rate  of 
duties  in  1832.  As  it  was  "the  last  straw  that  broke  the 
camel's  back,"  so  it  was  this  last  act  of  Congress  that  roused  the 
indignation  of  the  citizens  of  Industry.  On  the  third  day  of 
July,  1832,  a  special  town  meeting  was  called  to  consider  the 
feasibility  of  instructing  the  Maine  delegation  in  Congress  to 
protest  against  the  "tariff  system"  as  oppressive  and  burden- 
some. Though  the  meeting  favored  this  course  it  was  found 
that  there  would  not  be  sufficient  time  for  the  instructions  to 
reach  Washington  before  the  probable  adjournment  of  Congress. 
Consequently  the  subject  was  dismissed  and  the  meeting 
adjourned  sine  die.  Near  the  close  of  the  year  a  movement 
was  made  by  the  inhabitants  residing  on  a  tract  of  territory  in 
the  southern  part  of  the  town  to  secure  by  an  act  of  the  Legisla- 
ture a  separation  from  Industry  and  annexation  to  New  Sharon.* 
This  measure  was  strongly  opposed  by  all  save  those  directly 
interested,  and  although  a  special  town  meeting  was  called  to 
see  if  the  town  would  consent  to  the  proposed  division  the 
matter  was  promptly  dismissed  without  action,  as  the  record 
shows.  Thus  was  defeated  for  a  time  a  movement  which, 
greatly  to  the  joy  of  its  originators,  triumphed  after  a  lapse  of 
nearly  twenty  years. 

At  the  annual  meeting  in  1833  a  precedent  was  established 
which  might  have  been  followed  down  to  the  present  time  with 
benefit  to  the  town.  At  that  meeting  the  town  voted  that  each 
officer  be  required  to  produce  and  read  his  bill  in  "open  town 
meetincr." 


*  This  tract  of  land  was  bounded  as  follows :  "  Beginning  at  the  westerly  corner 
of  hit  No.  47,  on  New  Sharon  line,  belonging  to  Lemuel  Collins,  Jr.,  thence  north-east 
to  the  Pressy  road,  so-called,  thence  on  the  southerly  side  of  said  road  to  the  northerly 
line  of  lot  marked  Q,  on  which  Moses  Pressy  now  lives;  thence  southerly  by  said 
lot  line  to  Stark  line;  thence  south  by  Stark  and  Mercer  lines  to  New  Sharon  line; 
thence  north-west  on  New  Sharon  line  to  the  first-mentioned  bounds." 

At  a  town  meeting  holden  November  5,  1832,  the  citizens  of  New  Sharon  on  the 
article:  "To  see  if  the  town  will  vote  to  receive  John  Gower,  Joseph  S.  Tibbetts, 
John  Trask,  Jr.,  Wyman  <  >liver,  Daniel  Howes  and  Lemuel  Collins,  with  their  estates, 
from  the  town  of  Industry;"  vote  stood  as  follows:   Nays,  117;    Yeas,  98. 

35 


2;S  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

The  most  remarkable  meteoric  shower  on  record  occurred 
on  the  evening  of  Now  13,  1833.  This  grand  display  of  celes- 
tial tire-works  caused  great  alarm  among  the  more  timorous, 
and  even  the  bravest  felt  an  indescribable  awe  steal  over  their 
senses  as  they  watched  the  imposing  scene.  The  event  had 
been  previously  'predicted  by  scientific  men,  but  nearly  every 
one  had  forgotten  the  matter.  The  superstitious  ones  regarded 
the  event  as  a  harbinger  of  some  dreadful  calamity,  and  for 
nearly  half  a  century  the  occurrence  was  a  topic  of  unflagging 
interest  with  all  classes. 

About  Jan.  1,  1835,  Deacon  Ira  Emery,  having  returned  to 
West's  Mills  from  a  year's  sojourn  in  Waterville,  went  to  live 
in  the  house  subsequently  occupied  by  Richard  Fassett  for 
man_\'  years.  Here  he  opened  a  public  house  and  swung  out  a 
sign  bearing  this  significant  inscription,  "  Temperance  Hotel." 
The  opening  of  the  house  was  celebrated  by  a  grand  supper. 
There  was  a  temperance  meeting*  at  the  church  on  the  opening 
day,  and  at  its  close  a  number  of  influential  members  with  their 
wives  repaired  to  the  "Temperance  Hotel"  and  took  supper  by 
way  of  encouragement  to  the  landlord  in  his  laudable  enterprise. 
Among  those  present  were  Capt.  Peter  W.  Willis,  William  Corn- 
forth  and  David  Luce,  with  their  wives  ;  some  of  the  Manters 
and  others  to  the  number  of  twenty  or  more.  The  volume  of 
business  was  not  large,  as  some  were  opposed  to  patronizing  a 
hotel  where  temperance  principles  were  so  rigidly  adhered  to. 
Deacon  Emery's  career  as  proprietor  of  the  "Temperance 
Hotel"  was  of  short  duration.  In  April,  1835,  he  bought  the 
Esq.  William  Allen  farm  near  the  centre  of  the  town,  and  moved 
there  immediately  after  making  his  purchase.  A  few  years  later 
Benjamin  Heald  of  Anson  moved  into  the  Dr.  Francis  Caldwell 
house  (now,  1 892,  occupied  by  Mrs.  Man'  C.  Gilmore),  bar- 
gained for  Deacon  Emery's  tavern  sign,  and  again  it  proclaimed 
to  the  weary  traveler  that  Industry  had  a  temperance  hotel. 
Hut  this  time  it  was  temperance  in  name  only,  f<>r  it  was  gen- 
erally known  that  Mr.  Heald  sold  "the   ardent"  to   his   patrons. 

*This  was  undoubtedly  a  meeting  of  the  temperance  society  organized  by 
Esquire  Peter  West  (see p.  .■/■ 


EVENTS  FROM  1S30  TO  1S60. 


279 


He  remained  in  town  about  two  years  and  then  returned  to 
Anson.  To  what  end  this  hotel  sign  ultimately  came  is  not 
known.  Christopher  Sanborn  Luce  also  kept  a  public  house 
at  West's  Mills  contemporaneously  with  Asaph  Boyden  and 
others. 

The  year  1837  was  aa  eventful  one  in  the  history  of  the 
town,  as  well  as  in  that  of  the  State  and  Nation.  The  great 
financial  crisis  precipitated  upon  the  country  early  in  that  year 
was  keenly  felt  by  the  people  of  Industry,  and  the  stringency  it 
caused  in  the  money  market  lasted  through  the  whole  term  of 
President  Van  Buren's  office.  Under  the  existing  high  tariff 
laws  the  surplus  revenue  had  steadily  accumulated  until  it  repre- 
sented a  colossal  sum.  As  the  charter  of  the  United  States 
Bank  was  about  to  expire  by  limitation,  President  Jackson  near 
the  close  of  his  term  of  office  ordered  the  funds  there  deposited 
to  be  removed  to  specified  State  banks.  This  order  was  the 
first  step  towards  disbursing  these  funds  among  the  people,  and 
in  conformity  with  this  measure  a  census  was  taken  by  the 
municipal  officers,  of  which  the  following  is  the  full  text: 


FAMILIES     RESIDING     IN     INDUSTRY    MARCH     1ST,     I  S3 7,    WITH    THE     NUMBER 
OF    PERSONS    IN    EACH    FAMILY. 


Adams,  Joseph, 
Allen,  Benjamin, 
Allen,  Charles  L., 

3- 
6. 

2 

Allen,  Datus  T., 

7- 

Allen,  John,  Jr., 
Allen,  Newman  T., 

5- 
6. 

Athearn,  Benjamin, 
Benson,  Bartlett, 

7- 
3- 

Boardman,  Sally, 

3- 

Boyden,  Asaph, 
Bradbury,  John  S., 
Briggs,  Adian, 
Bryant,  James, 
Caldwell,  Dr.  Francis, 

7- 
4- 

7- 
7 
7- 

Clark,  Jacob, 
Collins,  Barnabas  A., 

5- 
6. 

Collins,  Daniel, 

1. 

Collins,  Daniel,  Jr., 
Collins,  James, 
Collins,  John, 
Collins,  Joseph, 
Collins,  Lemuel,  Jr., 
Cornforth,  William, 
Cottle,  Benjamin, 
Crompton,  Isaac, 
Cutler,  Levi, 
Cutler,  Nathan, 
Cutler,  Seth, 
Cutts,  James, 
Cutts,  Thomas, 
Daggett,  Timothy, 
Daggett,  Tristram, 
Davis,  Andrew, 
Davis,  Cornelius, 


28o 


HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY 


1  >a\  is,  James, 

3 

Howes,  Lemuel,  Jr., 

6 

Davis,  James,  Jr., 
1  >a\  is,  Nathaniel, 

Davis,  Wendell, 
I  hitton,  Susannah, 
Edwards.  Bryce  S.. 

7 
3 

2 

1 

7 

Hutchins,  James, 
Ingalls,  Arthur, 
Ingalls,  John, 
Jewell,  John, 
Johnson,  Henry, 

9- 
3- 
6. 

7- 

1  2. 

Emery,  Ira, 
Emery,  Josiah, 
Eveleth,  Joseph, 
Fogg,  Asa, 

io 

4 
6 

8 

Joy,  Samuel, 
Knight,  Helon  II., 
Lawry,  William, 
Leathers,  Alfred, 

4- 
2. 

7- 
8. 

Fogg,  John, 
Fogg,  Sylvester, 
Folsom,  Daniel. 

4 

2 

6 

Lewis,  Joseph, 
Linen,  John, 
Look,  Valentine, 

5- 

3- 

1  2. 

Frost,  John, 
Frost,  Samuel, 

4 
io 

Luce,  Benjamin, 
Luce,  Charles, 

5- 

Gennings,  Rufus, 

4 

Luce,  Daniel, 

5- 

Gilmore,  James, 

io 

Luce,  David, 

7- 

Goodridge,  Jonathan, 

5 

Luce,  David  M., 

9- 

Goodridge,  Nathan, 

5 

Luce,  Elisha, 

3- 

Gower,  George, 

5 

Luce,  EMisha,  2d, 

7- 

( rower,  John, 

6 

Luce,  Ezekiel, 

6. 

( tower,  John,  Jr., 
Graham,  James, 

5 
4 

Luce,  Henry, 
Luce,  Leonard, 

4- 

4- 

Gray,  Guy, 

9 

Luce,  Luther, 

5- 

Green,  Aurelia, 

2 

Luce,  Rowland, 

5- 

Harvey,  William, 

5 

Luce,  Samuel, 

3- 

1  lives,  Jacob, 

8 

Luce,  William, 

2. 

1  [enderson,  I  )r.  Josiah, 

9 

Luce,  William  H., 

4- 

Hibbard,  Orrin, 

7 

Manter,  Asa  M., 

2. 

Hibbard,  Stephen, 

2 

Manter,  Benjamin, 

6. 

1  liggins,  Barnabas  A.. 

2 

Manter,  James. 

5- 

Hill.  Theodore, 
Hilton,  Gilman, 

4 
3 

McKinney,  John, 
McLaughlin,  Richard. 

1 0. 
5- 

Ilinkley,  Ezekiel, 

3 

Meader,  Francis, 

9- 

Hinkley,  Ezekiel,  Jr., 

3 

Meader,  John  W., 

4- 

1 1  inkle}',  Josiah, 

9 

Meader,  Shubael  I... 

7- 

Ilinkley,  Oliver, 

5 

Meader,  William, 

10. 

I  lobbs,  ( reorge, 

9- 

Morse,  Caleb, 

7- 

1  [owes,  Alvin, 

6 

Morse,  Samuel, 

2. 

1  I  owes,  John, 
Howes,  Lemuel. 

3 
3- 

Morse,  Thomas, 
Norcross,  Philip, 

3- 

5- 

EVENTS  FROM    \%\o    TO    i860. 


281 


Norton,  Anna, 

7 

Stevens,  Moses, 

1  2. 

Norton,  Charles, 

6 

Storer,  Mary, 

9- 

Norton,  Clifford  B., 

6 

Swift,  Ebenezer, 

8. 

Norton,  Cornelius, 

5 

Taylor,  John, 

10. 

Norton,  Isaac, 

1 1 

Thing,  Dudley, 

3 

Norton,  James, 

2 

Thing,  Dudley  L., 

3- 

Norton,  Obed, 

9 

Thing,  Jesse, 

4- 

Norton,  Rhoda, 

2 

Thompson,  Betsey, 

1. 

Norton,  Supply  B., 

6. 

Thompson,  Robert, 

7- 

Norton,  William  I)., 

3 

Thwing,  Nathaniel, 

7- 

Oliver,  Wyman, 

8 

Tolman,  Moses, 

9- 

Parker,  Simon, 

3 

Trask,  Eben, 

3- 

Patterson,  Samuel, 

1  2 

Trask,  James, 

3- 

Perkins,  George, 

1 

Trask,  Jonathan, 

1 2. 

Pike,  Joshua, 

3 

Trask,  Nathaniel, 

8. 

Pollard,  Jonathan, 

9 

True,  Moses, 

8. 

Pratt,  Jesse, 

7 

True,  Thomas  J., 

5- 

Prince,  Paul, 

8 

Viles,  Joseph. 

3- 

Rackliff,  Benjamin  R., 

1 1 

Wade,  Mary, 

6. 

Raekliff,  Henry  B., 

6 

West,  Peter, 

10. 

Rackliff,  William, 

8 

Willard,  Eben, 

5- 

Remick,  Francis, 

8 

Willard,  Haskell, 

4- 

Ring,  Joseph, 

2 

Williamson,  Joseph, 

3- 

Ring,  Samuel, 

6 

Willis,  Peter  W., 

8. 

Roach,  Phebe, 

1 

Winslow,  George, 

7- 

Roach,  Royal, 

4 

Winslow,  James, 

6. 

Roach,  William, 

2 

Withee,  Daniel, 

4- 

Savage,  Charles, 

3 

Withee,  H.  T., 

1 1. 

Shaw,  Albert  and' Daniel, 

8 

Withee,  Nancy, 

3- 

Shorey,  Pelatiah, 

9 

Withee,  Zachariah, 

7- 

Smith,  Alvin, 

5 

Withee,  Zoe, 

2. 

Smith,  William  D., 

3 

Woodcock,  David, 

4- 

Spencer,  John, 

8 

Young,  Daniel, 

6. 

Stevens,  James, 

4 

By  this  distribution  Maine  received  the  sum  of  $955,838.25, 
on  the  condition  that  it  should  be  refunded  to  the  United 
States  on  demand.  The  State  Legislature  immediately  passed 
an  act  authorizing  each  town  to  receive  its  proportional  part  on 
the  same  conditions  stipulated  by  the  National  Government. 
At  a  meeting  held  at  the  Centre  Meeting-House,  April  r,  1837, 


282  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

the  town  voted  to  receive  its  proportional  part  of  the  fund  on 
the  terms  specified,  and  William  Cornforth  was  chosen  an  agent 
"to  demand  and  receive  the  money"  from  the  State  Treasurer. 
The  town  decided  that  this  money  should  be  held  by  trustees 
as  a  permanent  loan  fund  for  the  benefit  of  residents  of  the 
town.  The  vote  specified  that  the  loans  should  be  in  sums  of 
not  less  than  ten  or  more  than  one  hundred  dollars  to  any  one 
individual,  the  borrower  to  pay  six  per  cent,  interest  on  the 
loan  and  one-half  of  one  per  cent,  as  a  compensation  to  the 
trustees.  Two  responsible  sureties  were  required  in  addition  to 
the  borrower's  name.  The  trustees  chosen  as  custodians  of  this 
fund  were  William  Cornforth,  James  Winslow  and  George 
Hobbs,  and  the  sum  received  was  $2,133.60.  Many  became 
dissatisfied  with  this  arrangement,  and  at  the  annual  meeting, 
March  26,  1838,  the  town  annulled  its  previous  doings  bypass- 
ing a  vote  "  To  divide  the  surplus  revenue  per  capita  among 
the  inhabitants  of  the  town."*  At  a  meeting  held  Sept.  10, 
1838,  Capt.  Peter  VV.  Willis  was  chosen  a  trustee  and  instructed 
to  settle  with  the  State  Treasurer  and  collect  any  balance  found 
due  the  town.  Thus  was  practically  wasted,  by  the  injudicious 
action  of  the  town,  a  fund  which,  had  it  been  wisely  managed, 
would  have  proved  of  permanent  and  lasting  benefit. 

The  wonderful  auroral  display  on  the  evening  of  Jan.  25, 
1837,1  stands  second  only  to  the  meteoric  shower  of  1833  in 
point  of  grandeur.  At  the  time  of  its  occurrence  the  ground 
was  covered  with  snow,  and  the  lurid  glare  of  this  mysterious 
flame  gave  it  a  blood-red  appearance.  These  lights  were  first 
observed  early  in  the  evening,  and  as  they  increased  in  extent 
and  brilliancy,  a   large   number  of    people   gathered   at  West's 


*  Butler  says  in  his  "  History  of  Farmington  "  (see  f>.  174)  that  the  Legislature  of 
1839  passed  the  act  authorizing  towns  to  distribute  this  money  among  its  inhabitants. 
Thus  it  seems  that  the  citizens  of  Industry  had  anticipated  legislative  action  by  tak- 
ing the  initiative  step  in  the  matter. 

t  Table  of  Incidents  in  Butler's  History  of  Farmington,  />.  j/6.  "Our  First 
Century,"  by  R.  M.  Kevins,  published  by  C.  A.  Nichols  &  Co.,  Springfield,  Mass., 
1 876,  gives  the  date  as  November  14,  1837.  The  author's  investigations  all  go  to 
substantiate  the  date  as  given  by  Mr.  Butler,  yet  he  has  not  been  able  to  establish  it 
beyond  the  shadow  of  doubt. 


EVENTS  FROM   1830    TO    i860.  283 

Mills  and  watched  with  fear  and  trembling  this  wonderful  sight. 
The  stillness  and  solemnity  of  the  hour  was  hardly  broken  save 
by  the  rushing  sound  of  the  auroral  flame  and  occasionally  the 
subdued  voices  of  the  assembled  people.  The  flame  was  of 
such  brilliancy  that  ordinary  print  could  be  easily  read  out  of 
doors,  and  the  houses  for  a  considerable  distance  were  plainly 
discernible.  The  superstitious  regarded  this  manifestation  as 
the  forerunner  of  some  dire  calamity.  The  crimson  hue 
imparted  to  the  snow  led  some  to  imagine  that  a  blood)'  war 
was  at  hand,  while  others  believed  that  the  judgment  day  had 
surely  come. 

The  Legislature  of  1838  passed  an  act  to  incorporate 
Franklin  County.  This  act  was  approved  by  Governor  Kent 
March  20,  1838,  and  at  a  meeting  called  April  9th,  the  vote  of 
Industry  stood  eighty-six  in  favor  of  the  new  county  to  five 
against  it. 

The  total  senatorial  vote  of  Sept.  10,  1838,  was  one  hundred 
and  ninety-six,  and  two  years  later  the  aggregate  vote  for  presi- 
dential electors  was  two  hundred  and  ten.  At  that  time  the 
town  was  about  equally  divided  politically.  The  Harrison  and 
Van  Buren  electors  each  received  one  hundred  and  four  votes — 
scattering,  two. 

The. representative  district,  which  included  Industry,  experi- 
enced much  difficult}'  in  electing  a  representative  to  the  Legis- 
lature in  the  fall  of  1842.  At  the  September  election  Capt. 
Newman  T.  Allen  was  the  leading  candidate  in  Industry,  out  of 
ten  persons  receiving  votes  for  that  office,  having  received  sixty- 
five  votes.  Meeting  after  meeting  was  called  and,  although 
Capt.  Allen  was  a  leading  candidate,  he  failed  to  receive  a 
majority  ot  the  votes  in  town  until  the  seventh  meeting.  Even 
this  result  did  not  decide  the  contest,  as  Capt.  Allen  failed  to 
have  a  majority  in  his  district,  which  was  composed  of  Industry, 
New  Sharon  and  New  Vineyard.  Several  meetings  were  called 
in  the  early  part  of  1843,  and  Dr.  John  Cook's  name  was  sub- 
stituted for  that  of  Capt.  Allen,  but  with  no  better  result,  and 
the  writer  is  of  the  opinion  that  this  district  was  unrepresented 
in  the  Legislature  of  that  year. 


284  HISTORY   OF  INDUSTRY 

A  remarkable  event  of  the  year  1843  was  the  widespread 
prevalence  of  a  religious  belie!  known  as  "  Millerism."  The 
fundamental  principle  of  this  doctrine  was  the  immediate  sec- 
ond coming  of  the  Messiah.  William  Miller,  the  originator  of 
this  doctrine,  by  an  ingenious  interpretation  of  the  Prophecies, 
had  fixed  the  date  of  this  important  event  sometime  between 
March  21,  1843,  and  March  21,  1844.  He  visited  Farmington 
in  March,  1 843,  and  addressed  the  people  on  the  impending 
dissolution  of  all  things  terrestrial.  Whether  or  not  Miller  or 
any  of  his  confreres  visited  Industry,  the  writer  is  unable  to  say, 
but  the  subject  attracted  much  attention,  and  created  no  little 
excitement  in  this  as  veil  as  in  other  towns.  A  few  even  went 
so  far  as  to  claim  that  they  could  read  the  date  (  1843)  foretold 
by  Miller,  on  blades  of  grass  and  grain.  The  appearance 
in  the  heavens  during  the  year  of  a  blazing  comet  of  great 
magnitude,  gave  additional  weight  to  the  predictions  of  Miller 
in  the  minds  of  the  superstitious.  As  time  rolled  on  and  the 
prophecies  remained  unfulfilled,  the  infatuation  gradually  ceased, 
and  "the  Millerite  craze"  became  a  thing  of  the  past. 

A  tract  of  land  containing  seven  thousand  acres  was  set  oft" 
from  New  Vineyard  and  annexed  to  Industry  in  1844.  A  sys- 
tem of  intercepting  mountains  prevented  free  social  intercourse 
with  the  rest  of  the  town  and  rendered  this  change  almost  an 
imperative  necessity.  The  following  is  the  full  text  of  the 
petition,  together  with  the  names  of  its  signers  : 

To  the  Hono?-able  Senate  ami  House  of  Representatives  of  t/ie  State  of 

Maine,  in  Legislature  assembled : 

Humbly  represents  the  undersigned  Inhabitants  of  the  town  of  New 
Vineyard,  that  said  town  is  so  situated  that  it  is  extremely  inconvenient 
for  the  Inhabitants  to  assemble  at  any  one  plaee  for  the  purpose  of  do- 
ing town  business,  there  being  a  range  of  high  hills  or  mountains,  run- 
ning diagonally  nearly  through  the  center  of  the  town.  That  the  South- 
easterly part  of  said  town  would  be  much  better  convened  by  being 
annexed  to  the  town  of  Industry. 

Wherefore  your  petitioners  pray  that  the  following  described  tract 
beset  off  from  New  Vineyard  and  annexed  to  Industry.  To  wit  :  be- 
ginning at  the  Southeast  corner  of  said  New  Vineyard,  Thence  running 


EVENTS  FROM 1830    TO    i860. 


285 


North  on  the  East  line  of  said  town  to  the  center  of  the  fourth  range 
of  lots  ;  thence  West  to  the  West  line  of  lot  Number  ten  in  said  range. 
Thence  South  on  the  deviding  line  between  lots  numbered  ten  and 
eleven,  to  the  North  line  of  the  town  of  Industry,  Thence  East  on  said 
North  line  to  the  first  mentioned  corner,  with  as  much  more  as  your 
honors  may  think  propper,  And  as  in  duty  bound  will  ever  pray. 
Dated  at  New  Vineyard  the  25th  day  of  Jan'y,  1S44. 


I  >avid  Merry. 

Levi  H.  Perkins. 
Leander  Perkins. 
Richmond  Doyen. 
William  Welch. 
Columbus  Harvey. 
Isaac  Daggett. 
Henry  Adkinson. 
Ivory  Furbish. 
Edmund  A.  Norton. 
Lawson  Butler. 
Henry  Manter. 
John  W.  Manter. 
Zebulon  Manter. 


Benjm.  W.  Norton. 
Obed  W.  Gray. 
Silas  Spaulding. 
Isaac  Elder,  2nd. 
Leonard  Viles. 
Dennis  H.  Viles. 
Ebenezer  Smith. 
Alvan  Smith. 
Peter  B.  Smith. 
Joseph  W.  Smith. 
John  Daggett. 
John  A.  Daggett. 
Orrin  Daggett. 
Sam'l  Daggett. 


At  a  town  meeting  held  Feb.  23,  1844,  Alfred  Leathers  was 
chosen  moderator  and  the  citizens  voted  to  receive  the  land  and 
inhabitants,  the  vote  standing  thirty-five  for,  to  fourteen  against 
the  measure.  Accordingly  the  Legislature,  by  an  act  approved 
March  21,  1844,  set  off  and  annexed  the  land  and  inhabitants 
agreeably  to  the  prayer  of  the  petitioners.*  The  inhabitants  of 
New  Vineyard  were  greatly  dissatisfied  with  the  Legislature  for 
granting  the  prayer  of  these  petitioners,  but  as  it  was  near  the 
close  of  the  session  nothing  could  be  done  until  the  next  Legis- 
lature convened.  Soon  after  the  organization  of  the  House  in 
1845  the  following  petition  was  presented  for  the  consideration 
of  that  body : 

To  the  Honorable  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  in   Legislature 

assembled : 

The  undersigned  authorized  agent  and  attorney  in  behalf  of  the 
town  of  New  Vineyard  would  represent  that  heretofore  three  pieces  of 

*  Industry  thus  gained  forty-three  ratable  polls  and  added  $28,447  to  its  valuation. 


36 


286  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

said  town  have  been  annexed  to  other  towns  to  wit,  two  pieces  to  the 
town  of  Industry,  the  other  to  the  town  of  Anson,  that  this  dismember- 
ing of  said  town  has  made  it  small  and  of  inconvenient  shape  and  has 
increased  the  burdens  and  expenses  of  its  inhabitants,  that  a  project  is 

now  started  to  annihilate  said  town,  against  which  a  large  majority  of  its 
inhabitants  are  opposed. 

Passing  over  the  inconveniences  arising  from  having  a  great  distance 
to  travel  in  order  to  attend  town  meetings,  altering  county  lines,  break- 
ing up  Senatorial  and  representative  districts,  and  many  other  evils  of 
like  nature,  the}'  object  to  the  extinguishment  of  the  name  of  their  town 
for  the  reason  that  thereby  associations  will  be  broken  up,  the  bonds  of 
fellowship  that  bind  the  inhabitants  together  in  social  union  severed,  and 
their  influence  in  the  support  of  Republican  principles  greatly  weakened 
i  >r  destroyed. 

They  ask  for  the  re- annexation  to  New  Vineyard  the  territory  form- 
erly belonging  to  it.  and  the  establishment  of  the  old  town  lines,  then 
their  town  would  be  the  fifth  or  sixth  town  in  the  county  of  Franklin  in 
point  of  size,  population,  and  property,  the  inhabitants  would  be  as  well 
accommodated  in  attending  to  their  town  affairs,  and  other  business,  as 
they  can  be  by  any  other  arrangement,  and  the  interest  of  the  whole 
promoted. 

At  a  legal  meeting,  on  the  thirteenth  instant,  of  the  said  inhabitants 
called  to  consider  the  subject,  they  voted  to  petition  the  Legislature  to 
re  instate  said  town  in  the  same  shape  as  at  the  time  of  its  incorporation. 

The  undersigned  prays  that  the  parcels  set  off  may  be  re-annexed, 
and  his  town  re-instated  in  its  original  size  and  shape. 

[Signed.]  Joseph    L.  Hackett. 

Agent  of  said  town. 

A  true  copy. 

J.  O.  I,  foster, 

Secretary  of  the  Senate. 

State  of  Malm:. 
In  Senate  January  twenty-fourth,  1845,  on  tne  petition  aforesaid, 
ordered,  that  the  petitioner  cause  an  attested  copy  of  petition  with  this 
order  thereon  to  be  served  on  the  Town  Clerks  of  Anson  and  Industry, 
ten  days  at  least  before  the  thirteenth  day  of  February  next,  that  all 
persons  interested  may  there  appear  and  show  cause,  if  any  they  have. 
why  the  prayer  of  said  petitioner  should  not  be  granted. 

[Signed.]  (.'.  Chadwick, 

(   hairman. 


EVENTS  FROM   i.Sjo    TO  i860.  287 

Read  ami  accepted.     Sent  down  for  concurrence. 

J.  0.  L.  Foster,  Secretary. 

In  the  House  of  Representatives,  Jan'y  24,  1845, 
Read  and  concurred. 

Samuel  Bel<  her,  Clerk. 

A  true  copy. 

Attest  :  I.  O.  L.  Foster. 


A  true  copy 


Secretary  of  the  Senate. 


Joseph  L.  I  lackett, 

Town  Agent. 


I  hereby  acknowledge  the  service  of  the  above  petition  and  order 
thereon,  Industry,  February  3,  1^45. 

Attest  :  Peter  W.  Butler, 

Town  Clerk. 

Vigorous  measures  were  adopted  by  Industry  as  soon  as  it 
became  definitely  known  that  the  inhabitants  of  New  Vineyard 
would  make  the  attempt  to  regain  their  lost  territory.  Their 
claims,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  foregoing  petition,  were  of  the 
most  radical  and  sweeping  character.  They  demanded  at  the 
hands  of  the  Legislature  not  only  the  land  set  off  to  Industry 
the  previous  year,  but  likewise  the  Gore  (see  p.  2og),  which 
had  been  a  part  of  Industry  since  181 5.  A  town  meeting 
was  promptly  called,  and  agreeably  to  notice  the  citizens  of 
Industry  met  at  the  Centre  Meeting-House  on  the  5th  day  of 
February,  1845.  General  Nathan  Goodridge  was  called  to 
preside,  and  a  vote  to  elect  two  special  agents  to  defend  the 
town  lines,  as  they  then  existed,  was  passed.  Hiram  Manter 
and  Captain  Newman  T.  Allen  were  then  unanimously  elected 
to  that  office.  These  gentlemen  were  further  instructed  to  use 
every  expedient  and  legitimate  means  to  defeat  the  petition 
of  Joseph  L.  Hackett  and  all  other  petitions  of  a  similar 
purport.  The  faithfulness  of  these  gentlemen  in  the  discharge 
of  their  duty  is  shown  from  the  fact  that  no  legislative  action 
was  taken  in  the  matter. 


288  HISTORY  OF  fX  PL'S  FRY. 

PIONEERS    OF    LIBERTY    IN    INDUSTRY. 

The  "Liberty  Party "  first  gained  a  foothold  in  Industry  at 
the  presidential  election  of  1840,  when  two  votes  were  cast  for 
the  electors  of  James  G.  Birney,  the  candidate  of  that  party.* 
These  votes  were  cast  by  Truman  Allen  Merrill  and  Warren 
Smith,  both  young  men,  and  this  was  the  first  time  they  had 
exercised  the  right  of  suffrage  at  the  polls.  Much  enthusiasm 
was  manifested  by  voters  of  both  parties — the  Whigs  and 
Democrats  of  those  times.  The  friends  of  those  two  young  men 
were  greatly  shocked  at  their  determination  to  vote  the  despised 
"  Liberty  ticket,"  and  took  all  reasonable  pains  to  dissuade  them 
from  their  purpose.  These  young  men,  one  of  whom  is  still 
living,  never  regretted  their  action.  With  them  it  was  no  fitful 
impulse  but  a  matter  of  principle.  It  was  a  subject  to  which 
they  had  given  much  study,  and  satisfying  themselves  of  the 
correctness  of  its  underlying  principles  they  made  up  their 
minds  to  brave  whatever  opposition  might  come.  They  were 
not  politicians,  but  young  men  who  firmly  believed  that  to  act 
in  accordance  with  one's  sincere  convictions  was  the  right  thing 
to  do.  Five  years  later  the  action  of  these  young  men  was  vin- 
dicated in  the  election  of  Mr.  Merrill  to  represent  his  district  in 
the  State  Legislature  of  1846.  In  Maine  the  Abolition  or  Lib- 
ert}' party  nominated  its  candidate  for  governor  each  year  from 
its  inception  until  1849.  In  1848  Samuel  Fessenden,  its  candi- 
date for  governor,  received  sixty-two  votes  in  Industry  and  12,- 
037  in  the  State.  After  this  the  party  made  no  nominations  for 
State  and  county  officers,  and  was  eventually  absorbed  by  the 
Republican  party  on  its  organization.  The  election  of  Abraham 
Lincoln  in  i860  was  essentially  a  triumph  of  Liberty  part)'  prin- 
ciples in  the  nation,  though  under  a  foreign  name. 

The  town  voted   at   a   meeting  held   September  19,  1844,  to 


*  An  eye-witness  informs  the  author  that  these  two  votes  came  very  near  not  be- 
ing counted.  In  making  up  the  returns,  and  just  as  they  were  about  to  seal  them  up, 
the  two  young  men  who  had  voted  the  "  Liberty  ticket"  called  attention  to  the  fact 
that  their  votes  had  not  been  included  in  the  returns.  "<  )h,  yes,"  said  Capt.  Norton, 
"  I  did  see  one  or  two  votes  but  failed  to  credit  them  in  the  returns."  Thereupon 
they  were  counted,  declared  and  properly  entered  on  the  returns. 


EVENTS  FROM    1830  TO  i860.  289 

furnish  William  Mcadcr  and  family  a  sufficient  sum  of  money  to 
defray  their  traveling  expenses  to  some  Western  State.  The 
family  were  in  indigent  circumstances  when  they  left  Industry, 
but  were  fortunate  in  their  new  home  in  Illinois,  where  they 
were  soon  able  to  earn  a  comfortable  living.  The  sons  and 
daughters  married  well  and  became  useful  and  respected  mem- 
bers of  society. 

August  8,  1846,  there  occurred  one  of  the  most  devastating 
hail-storms  known  in  the  history  of  the  town.  The  course  of 
this  storm  was  from  a  westerly  direction,  and  although  very  nar- 
row in  the  limits  of  its  destructiveness,  caused  much  damage 
along  its  track  in  the  northern  part  of  Farmington  and  at  Allen's 
Mills.  In  the  centre  of  the  storm  fruit-trees  were  stripped  of 
their  half-grown  fruit  and  foliage,  fields  of  corn  and  unharvested 
grain  were  completely  destroyed,  and  much  glass  was  broken. 
Rills  were  turned  to  raging  rivers  in  a  few  moments,  and  wash- 
outs four  feet  in  depth  were  made  in  the  solid  road.  A  few 
miles  beyond  Allen's  Mills  the  force  of  the  storm  seemed  spent 
and  only  a  heavy  rainfall  was  experienced. 

About  this  time  road  matters  seemed  to  occupy  the  attention 
of  the  town  to  a  considerable  extent.  A  road  having  been  laid 
out  from  near  where  David  W.  Merry  now  (1892)  lives  east- 
ward to  the  Shaw  farm,  the  town  voted  September  14,  1846,  to 
discontinue  the  old  road  over  Bannock  Hill,  and  also  voted  to 
raise  the  sum  of  fifty  dollars  to  open  "a  winter  road"  over  the 
proposed  new  route.*  The  following  year  the  matter  again 
came  up  for  action  of  the  town.  The  meeting  assembled  Sep- 
tember 12,  1847;  at  this  meeting  Albert  Shaw  made  the  town 
an  offer  to  build  the  road  from  his  house  to  the  west  line  of  the 
Hinkley  farmf  gratis,  and  agreed  to  put  his  portion  in  a  condition 
suitable  for  a  winter  road  immediately.  It  was  proposed  to  let 
the  opening  of  the  remainder  to  the  lowest  bidder,  stipulating 
that  it  should  be  completed  by  September  15,  1848. 

*  This  road,  established  on  petition  of  Daniel  Shaw  et  als.,  was  laid  out  Novem- 
ber 19,  1845,  by  James  Russell,  Abraham  L.  Harmon  and  William  Whittier,  County 
Commissioners.  The  road  as  established  runs  a  direct  east  and  west  course,  is  four 
rods  wide  and  452  rods  long. 

t  About  three-eighths  of  the  entire  distance. 


290  HISTORY   OF  INDUSTRY. 

March  i,  1S47,  a  road  was  accepted  on  the  Gore,  running 
easterly  from  James  Graham's  to  the  new  county  road  near  the 
school-house  in  Capt.  Clifford  B.  Norton's  district.  The  "  Pres- 
sor I  lill  road,"  so-called,  having  become  a  superfluity  by  reason 
of  this  newly  established  route,  was  discontinued. 

Up  to  this  time  the  county  road  from  Goodridge's  Corner 
by  Allen's  Mills  ran  over  the  hill  on  which  the  residence  of  the 
late  Capt.  William  Allen  was  located.  On  petition  the  County 
Commissioners  laid  out  a  new  road  around  this  hill.  At  the 
forementioned  meeting  this  matter  also  came  up  for  considera- 
tion of  the  town.  Of  course  there  were  dissenting  voices  and 
the  disadvantages  as  well  as  the  merits  of  the  new  route  were 
discussed  by  the  citizens  present.  One  gentleman  urged  as  an 
important  objection  that  the  distance  by  the  new  route  would 
be  greater.  Rufus  Jennings,  who  favored  the  new  road,  wishing 
to  convince  the  dissenter  of  his  error  arose  and  said,  "  Mr.  Mod- 
erator, I  would  like  to  ask  the  gentleman  what  difference  it 
makes  in  the  distance  whether  a  kettle-bail  stands  upright  or  lies 
in  a  horizontal  position  on  the  edge  of  the  vessel?  "  This  ques- 
tion placed  the  matter  in  so  clear  a  light  that  no  further  objection 
was  offered.  A  vote  to  accept  the  road  was  passed,  and  also  to 
have  it  opened  to  the  public  by  July  1,  1848  Although  the 
new  road  was  opened  by  the  date  specified,  the  road  over  the 
hill  was  not  discontinued  until  some  years  had  elapsed. 

At  the  annual  meeting  March  5,  1849,  the  subject  of  building 
a  town-house,  which  had  for  some  years  remained  dormant,  was 
again  brought  before  the  citizens  of  the  town,  and  Major  James 
Cutts,  Capt.  Newman  T.  Allen,  George  Gower  and  Capt.  Clifford 
B.  Norton  were  chosen  a  committee  "to  select  a  site  and  report 
at  some  future  meeting."  This  committee  selected  as  a  suitable 
and  accessible  location  for  such  a  building,  a  site  at  the  western 
terminus  of  "the  Shaw  road,"*  and  reported  at  a  meeting  holden 
at  the  Centre  Meeting- 1  louse,  September  10,  1849.  The  report 
was  accepted  by  a  vote  of  the  town,  but  an  article  in  the  warrant 


*  This  was  the  newly  established  road  running  in  a  westerly  direction  from  the 
Allien  Shaw  farm.  Down  to  the  present  time  (1892)  it  is  known  both  as  the  new 
road  and  the  Knowles  road. 


EVENTS  FROM    1830    TO    i860.  29 1 

to  raise  funds  to  build  the  house  failed  to  pass.  The  matter  was 
revived  by  the  insertion  in  the  warrant,  for  the  annual  meeting 
in  1852,  of  an  article  in  relation  to  the  subject,  but  the  voters  did 
not  seem  disposed  to  take  any  action  relative  to  it.  November 
2,  1852,  at  a  town  meeting,  the  town-house  question  was  again 
agitated,  and  another  committee  chosen  to  select  a  site  for  the 
structure.  This  committee  selected  Roach's  (now  Tibbetts's) 
Corner  as  the  most  suitable  location,  and  their  report  was  like- 
wise accepted.  At  a  subsequent  meeting  Sept.  12,  1853,  the 
citizens  voted  on  the  above  report  to  build  a  town-house  on  the 
site  selected,  and  a  committee  of  five  was  chosen  and  instructed 
to  draft  plans,  make  an  estimate  of  the  cost  of  construction 
and  report  at  the  next  meeting.  At  an  adjourned  session  of 
this  meeting,  held  Sept.  26,  1853,  General  Nathan  Goodridge 
made  a  report  in  behalf  of  the  committee,  which  was  accepted 
by  a  vote  of  60  yeas  to  33  nays.  The  sum  of  $275  was  raised 
by  vote  to  build  the  house,  and  the  contract  for  its  erection 
was  bid  off  by  George  W.  Johnson  at  $250.  The  contract 
stipulated  that  the  house  should  be  completed  by  September, 
1854.  Capt.  Peter  W.  Willis,  General  Nathan  Goodridge  and 
James  Elliott  were  chosen  as  a  committee  to  superintend  its 
construction.  The  action  of  the  town  had  a  business-like 
appearance,  and  the  prospect  of  a  town-house  seemed  very 
promising  indeed.  But  at  the  succeeding  annual  meeting  the 
town  voted  to  change  the  location,  and  the  whole  scheme 
collapsed.  Directly  afterward  a  special  meeting  was  called,  to 
assemble  at  George  Cornforth's  hall,  at  West's  Mills.  The 
meeting  convened  March  20,  1854,  and  a  motion  to  pass  by 
the  articles  in  relation  to  building  a  town-house  was  carried 
by  a  majority  of  otic  vote.  A  few,  still  undaunted  by  these 
repeated  defeats,  caused  another  meeting  to  be  called  Jul)'  1, 
1854,  but  unfortunately  no  action  was  taken  and  the  interest  in 
the  matter  died  out.  Thus  ended  all  efforts  toward  erecting  a 
town-house  in  Industry. 

One  of  the  most  grand  and  imposing  celebrations  ever 
witnessed  in  Industry,  occurred  at  West's  Mills,  July  4,  1849, 
under  the   auspices   or    the  West's    Mills    and    Centre    Sunday- 


292  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

schools.  These  schools  united  in  making  the  necessary  prep- 
arations for  the  event,  and  imitations  were  extended  to  the 
Sunday-schools  at  Anson,  Madison  and  Stark,  to  participate 
in  the  festivities  of  the  occasion.  At  an  earl)-  hour  on  the 
appointed  day  the  members  of  the  West's  Mills  school  wire 
astir,  putting  the  finishing  touches  to  the  elaborate  and  perfect 
arrangements  for  the  reception  of  their  invited  guests.  The 
officers  of  the  day  were  as  follows  :  President,  John  Dinsmore  ; 
Marshal,  Gen.  Nathan  Goodridge;  Ass't  Marshal,  Maj.  James 
Cutis;  John  Frost,  chairman  of  Committee  of  Arrangements. 
The  visiting  schools  arrived  in  a  body  about  9  o'clock  A.  M., 
and  were  welcomed  by  John  Frost,  in  a  brief  but  well-chosen 
speech,  to  which  J[ohn?]  M.  Wood  responded  in  behalf  of  the 
invited  guests.  At  the  close  of  these  ceremonies  a  pleasant 
episode  occurred.  Miss  Ann  Shaw  stepped  forward  and,  in  a 
neat  little  speech,  presented  John  Dinsmore,  superintendent  of 
the  West's  Mills,  Sunday-school,  a  beautiful  gold  pencil,  as  a 
slight  token  of  the  love  and  esteem  of  his  pupils.  A  proces- 
sion was  then  formed  in  the  following  order,  under  the  direction 
o\   the  marshal  and   his  assistant: 

band  of  Music. 

Choir. 

Centre  Sunday-school. 

West's  Mills  Sunday-school. 

Madison  Sunday-school. 

Anson  Sunday-school. 

Stark  Sunday-school. 

President  of  the  Day. 

Clergymen. 

Parents  and  Friends  of  Sunday-school  Children. 

Citizens. 

The  procession  numbered  more  than  one  thousand  persons, 
there  being  fully  five  hundred  Sunday-school  children  in  the 
line.  The  various  schools  bore  many  pretty  banners  with 
appropriate  mottoes  and  inscriptions.  P2scorted  by  the  band, 
the  procession  marched  to  a  delightful  grove  near  David  Luce's, 
which     had     previously   been   fitted    up    in    an    elegant    manner 


EVENTS  FROM   1830    TO    i860.  293 

with  speaker's  stand  and  a  large  number  of  seats  for  the  accom- 
modation of  the  schools  and  spectators.  The  number  of  peo- 
ple in  the  grove  during  the  exercises  was  estimated  to  be 
fully  1500.  The  exercises,  interspersed  with  frequent  volunta- 
ries from  the  choir,  were  as  follows  : 

Prayer. 

Rev.  Silas  B.  Brackett,  Industry. 

Addresses 

by 

Rev.  Abel  Alton,  Solon. 

Rev.  Samuel  P.  Morrill,  Farmington. 

Rev.  Andrews,  Strong. 

Rev.  James  M.  Follett,  New  Sharon. 
Rev.  Silas  B.  Brackett,  Industry. 

At  the  close  of  the  exercises  in  the  grove,  the  procession 
was  re-formed,  and  at  2  o'clock  P.  M.  marched  to  a  cool,  shady 
orchard  in  front  of  Mr.  Luce's  house,  where  four  long  tables, 
tastefully  decorated,  fairly  groaned  beneath  their  weight  of 
tempting  viands.  Here  fully  one  thousand  persons  gathered 
to  satisfy  the  demands  of  a  keen  appetite.  After  the  repast 
was  ended,  the  schools  formed  a  hollow  square,  and  listened  to 
an  address  by  Rev.  James  M.  Follett,  and  a  valedictory  by  Rev. 
John  Perham,  of  Madison.  Returning  to  the  church  at  the 
village,  a  reciprocal  expression  of  thanks  was  exchanged  for 
the  enjoyment  which  the  day  had  afforded.  Rev.  John  Perham 
then  dismissed  the  assembly  with  the  benediction,  and  the 
company  returned  to  their  several  homes. 

A  new  political  party  known  as  "  Free-soilers "  suddenly 
sprang  into  existence  during  the  presidential  campaign  of  1848 
and  put  in  nomination  as  their  candidate  Martin  Van  Buren. 
This  party  held  that  Congress  should  prohibit  the  introduction 
of  slavery  into  the  territories.  The  electors  of  Van  Buren 
received  more  than  one-third  of  the  votes  cast  in  Industry. 
The  next  year  their  gubernatorial  candidate,  George  F.  Talbot, 
received  forty-nine  votes.  But  in  1852,  Dr.  Ezekiel  Holmes, 
received  only  five  votes  in  this  town.  Some  years  later  the 
party  merged  into  the  newly  formed  Republican  party. 

37 


HIS  TORY  OF  INI  >  I  '.V  I  R ) '. 

(  )n  the  question  of  temperance,  public  sentiment  was 
strongly  in  its  favor,  and  at  a  town  meeting  held  Sept.  10,  1X49, 
the  views  of  its  legal  voters  were  tersely  set  forth  in  the  follow- 
ing language:  "Voted,  that  we  are  not  willing  rum  should  be 
unlawfully  sold."  A  committee  of  three  was  chosen,  and 
instructed  to  visit  all  rumsellers  and,  if  possible,  persuade  them 
to  stop  their  illicit  traffic.  If  unsuccessful  in  this,  they  were 
authorized  to  prosecute  them  at  the  expense  of  the  town.  This 
committee  consisted  of  Deacon  Brice  S.  Edwards,  Lewis  Prince 
and  Orrin  Daggett.  At  a  subsequent  town  meeting  holden 
Sept.  10,  [850,  the  matter  was  again  brought  before  the  citizens 
and  the  town  agent  was  instructed  to  prosecute  all  persons 
found  selling  liquor  unlawfully.  But  notwithstanding;'  these 
stringent  measures  and  the  vigilance  exercised  by  the  people, 
spirituous  liquors  were  still  sold  in  Industry.  True,  there  was 
but  one  or  two  engaged  in  the  business,  but  they  clung  to  their 
unlawful  trade  with  a  pertinacity  worthy  of  a  better  cause. 
Doubtless,  hoping  to  counteract  in  a  measure  the  evil  effect  by 
drawing  off  a  certain  class  of  customers  who  occasionally 
bought  spirits  for  medicinal  purposes,  the  municipal  officers 
decided  to  appoint  a  liquor  agent  in  conformity  with  a  provi- 
sion of  the  statutes  authorizing  it.  Consequently  on  the  27th 
of  June,  1854,  John  Frost,*  a  gentleman  of  irreproachable 
character,  was  selected  for  the  position.  He  was  succeeded  in 
the  following  year  by  Nelson  C.  Luce,  and  later  Moses  M. 
Luce  was  appointed  to  the  (Thee.  This  agency  was  always 
an  outset  to  the  town,  and  was  abandoned  after  three  or  four 
years. 

The  Legislature  of  [856  having  passed  a  license  law,  Rich- 
ard Fassett  made  application  and  was  licensed  agreeably  to  that 
acl  May  5,  1856,  "to  sell  wines  and  malt  liquors  for  medicinal 
and  mechanical  purposes  for  the  term  of  one  year."  This  was 
the  only  license  issued  in  Industry  during  the  existence  of  the 
license  law,  and  if  others  sold  liquors  it  must  have  been  in  a 
clandestine  manner.     When   the   prohibitory  law  of  [858  came 

*  Mr.  Frost  was  the  first  liquor  agent    Industry  ever   had,  and    Moses   M.   Luce 

llir  last. 


EVENTS   FROM  1830   TO    1S60.  295 

before  the  people  for  action,  the  vote  of  Industry  given  in  at  a 
meeting  held  June  7,  1858,  was  as  follows: 

For  the  Prohibitory  Law  of  1858,  72  votes. 

For  the  License  Law  of  1856,  00  votes. 

The  year  1850  ushered  in  a  decade  of  peace  and  general 
prosperity  in  the  history  of  the  town.  The  State  valuation  for 
this  year  was  $147,545.  There  were  owned  in  town  at  that 
time  3,445  sheep,  which  would  have  given  a  flock  of  sixteen  to 
every  family  of  five  persons.  The  largest  individual  owner  was 
Daniel  S.  Gordon,  whose  flock  numbered  240.  There  were 
61  I  milch  cows  and  heifers  owned  in  town  on  the  first  day  of 
April;  283  oxen  and  122  hogs.  The  following  gentlemen 
owned  real  estate  to  the  value  of  $1000  or  more,  viz.  : 

Benjamin  Allen,  $1250;  Capt.  Newman  T.  Allen,  $1400; 
Maj.  James  Cutts,  $1500;  Gen.  Nathan  Goodridge,  $1335; 
Daniel  S.  Gordon,  $1000;  George  Hobbs,  $1700;  Charles 
Hayes,  $1580;  Alexander  Hillman,  $1700;  John  Wells  Manter, 
$1100;  James  Manter,  $1 100  ;  Zebulon  Manter,  $1200;  Peter 
West  Manter,  $1300;  Obed  Norton,  $1050;  Benj.  Warren 
Norton,  $1300;  Albert  and  Daniel  Shaw,  $3000;  Franklin 
Stone,  $1120;  Ebenezer  Swift,  $1120;  Capt.  Moses  Tolman, 
$1000. 

The  whole  sum  of  money  raised  this  year,  including  State 
and  county  taxes,  was  $1866.16,  and  the  rate  per  cent,  of 
taxation,  according  to  the  State  valuation,  was  only  a  fraction 
over  twelve  mills  on  the  dollar.  Promising  as  were  the  pros- 
pects of  the  town  at  this  time,  it  was  destined,  ere  the  first  half 
of  the  decade  had  passed,  to  lose  some  of  its  wealthiest  citi- 
zens and  most  valuable  territory.  First,  in  1850,  (see  p.  46), 
the  western  half  of  the  "New  Vineyard  Gore"  was  set  off  to 
Farmington,  and  two  years  later  George  Hobbs  and  others 
residing  in  the  south  part  of  the  town  were  set  off  from  Indus- 
try and  annexed  to  New  Sharon.  Aside  from  the  petitioners, 
the  people  of  Industry  were  much  opposed  to  these  concessions 
and  took  prompt  and  vigorous  measures  to  prevent  legislative 
action,  especially  against  the  subjoined  petition  of  George 
Hobbs  et  als.: 


296  HISTORY  OF   INDUSTRY. 

To  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  Maine  in  Legislature 
assembled. 

The  undersigned  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Industry,  in  the  Count) 
of  Franklin,  respectfully  represent  that  so  much  of  the  territory  of  the 
town  of  Industry,  adjoining  the  town  of  New  Sharon  in  said  County,  as 
is  embraced  in  the  following  description,  containing  an  entire  school 
district,  ought  to  be  set  off  from  the  town  oi'  Industry  and  annexed  to 
the  town  of  New  Sharon.  (Here  followed  a  description  of  the  bounds 
as  given  in  the  foot  note  on  page  14  q.  v. ) 

The  undersigned  further  say  that  some  of  the  reasons  for  asking 
the  Legislature  to  set  off  said  section  of  Industry  and  annex  to  New 
Sharon  may  be  enumerated  as  follows,  to  wit:  First,  as  inhabitants  of 
that  part  of  Industry,  they  labor  under  very  great  inconveniences  in 
respeel  to  their  town  business  and  post-office  communications.  Situated 
in  a  remote  corner  of  Industry,  distant  from  an)'  place  of  business  or 
post-office  in  that  town.  They  are  about  entirely  cut  off  from  all  com- 
munication with  its  inhabitants.  Whereas  all  their  business  and  trade  is 
at  New  Sharon,  as  well  as  their  post-office  communications.  Second, 
the  inhabitants  of  this  part  of  Industry  have  all  or  nearly  all  their  moral 
and  religious  connections  and  associations  at  New  Sharon,  and  with  its 
inhabitants.  They  have  also  buried  their  dead  at  New  Sharon  village 
to  a  certain  extent,  and  they  also  own  church  property  and  generally 
attend  public  worship  in  New  Sharon.  If  annexed  to  New  Sharon,  the 
inhabitants  of  this  territory  would  be  conveniently  situated  in  all  these 
respects,  as  well  as  much  better  convened  in  the  matter  of  roads  and 
other  means  of  communications.  For  the  foregoing,  among  many  other 
reasons,  the  undersigned  do  most  humbly  and  respectfully  pray  the 
Legislature  to  set  off  said  territory  and  annex  it  to  New  Sharon,  and 
thus  will  they  ever  pray. 

George  Hobbs.  William  I>.  Smith. 

Geo.  (lower,  2d.  Simon  Collins. 

Oren  Hebberd.  George  Hobbs,  Jr. 

Ransford  Nor<  ross.  Eben  C.  Collins. 

John  G.  Collins.  Franklin  Stone. 

John  Cower.  Robert  Trask. 

James  Collins.  Wyman  Oliver. 

Roger  Ela.  John  Collins. 

Philip  Norcross.  William  F.  Williamson. 

Though  the  case  of  the  town  was  ably  managed  before  the 
legislative  committee,  it  was  hardly  possible  to  prevent  the  loss, 


EVENTS  FROM  1830  TO  i860.  297 

and  the  flourishing  town  of  New  Sharon  received  a  valuable 
addition  to  its  already  extensive  domain.  The  town  was  more 
successful,  however,  in  its  opposition  to  petition  of  Luther 
Luce  and  others  residing  on  the  eastern  part  of  the  "  New 
Vineyard  Gore,"  who  asked  the  Legislature  in  the  winter  of 
1857  for  a  separation  from  Industry  and  annexation,  with  their 
estates,  to  the  town  of  Farmington. 

The  last  decade  of  which  this  chapter  treats,  was  one  of 
peace  and  general  prosperity,  and  uneventful  aside  from  the  war 
cloud  which  near  its  close  lowered  on  the  national  horizon. 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

EVENTS  FROM  icS6o  TO  1866. 

Political  Excitement. —  The  John  Brown  Insurrection. — Diphtheria  Epidemic. — Resi- 
dents of  Allen's  Mills  Petition  the  Legislature  for  Annexation  to  Farmington. — 
War  Meeting  Held  at  West's  Mills. — Patriotic  Resolutions  Passed. —  Lively  Times 
at  Subsequent  Meetings. — Muster  and  Celebration  at  West's  Mills,  July  4, 
1861 . — Call  for  Troops. — A  Comet  Appears. — Great  Scarcity  of  Silver  Money. — 
Methods  Devised  for  Supplying  the  Defect. — The  U.  S.  Fractional  Currency. — 
Disheartening  News  From  the  War. — Mason  and  Slidell  Arrested. — Belligerent 
Attitude  of  England. — Total  Failure  of  the  Fruit  Crop  of  1861. — Militia  En- 
rolled and  Organized. —  First  Industry  Soldiers'  Lives  Sacrificed. —  Obsequies 
at  the  Centre  Meeting-House. — More  Soldiers  Wanted. — Liberal  Town  Bounty 
Offered  for  Enlistments. — A  Call  for  Nine  Months' Troops. — Draft  Ordered. — 
Generous  Measures  Adopted  by  the  Town  to  Avoid  a  Draft. — A  Stirring  Mass 
Meeting  for  Raising  Volunteers. — Provision  for  Destitute  Soldiers'  Families. — 
News  of  the  Emancipation  Proclamation  Reaches  Industry. —  The  Conscription 
Act. — Anxieties  <>l  Those  Liable  to  a  Draft. — Disloyal  Utterances  in  <  >ther  Towns. 
—  Industry  True  to  Her  Country. — Piratical  Craft  Reported  off  the  Maine  Coast. 
—Revenue  (utter  "Caleb  Cushing  "  Captured  in  Portland  Harbor. 

The  year  i860  ushered  in  an  eventful  era  in  the  history  of 
the  town  of  Industry,  as  well  as  in  that  of  the  State  and  Nation. 
At  its  dawn  the  John  Brown  insurrection  with  its  resulting  trial 
and  execution  were  the  all-absorbing  topics  of  discussion.  Po- 
litical excitement,  already  at  fever  heat,  was  still  further  intensi- 
fied by  one  of  the  most  hotly  contested  gubernatorial  and  pres- 
idential campaigns  known  for  years.  At  the  September  election 
the  gubernatorial  vote  was  the  largest  polled  for  many  years. 
Hitter  animosities  often  existed  between  neighbors  differing  in 
political  sentiments,  and  word\-  discussions  were  frequently  in- 
dulged in.  This  condition  of  things  grew  worse  rather  than 
better  up  to  the  breaking  out,  and  all  through  the  early  part  of 
the  great  Civil   War. 


EVENTS  FROM    i860    TO    1866.  299 

A  widespread  epidemic  of  diphtheria  visited  Industry  in  the 
fall  of  i860,  and  prevailed  with  alarming  mortality  for  many 
months.  This  was  a  new  disease  to  the  physician  and  its  path- 
ology and  treatment  were  not  well  understood.  So  sudden  and 
virulent  was  the  attack,  and  so  intractable  did  the  disease  seem, 
even  to  the  most  carefully  selected  remedies,  that  patients  were 
often  entrusted  to  the  care  of  empirics  in  preference  to  the 
educated  physician.  Blindly  ignorant  of  its  highly  contagious 
character,  the  disease  was  carried  from  family  to  family  in  the 
clothing  of  nurses  and  attendants  on  the  sick.  Thus  was  this 
dreadful  disease  spread  from  house  to  house  and  neighborhood 
to  neighborhood,  leaving  desolate  homes  and  sorrowing  families 
in  its  track.*  Wholly  ignorant  of  the  result,  public  funerals 
were  with  few  exceptions  held  over  the  remains  of  those  dying 
with  this  disease,  thus  affording  another  fertile  source  for  its 
dissemination.  Man)'  declared  the  disease  non-contagious,  bas- 
ing their  assertion  on  personal  immunity  from  contagion.  Yet 
these  same  persons  would  hesitate  and  often  decline  assistance  in 
caring  for  those  ill  with  this  disease,  thus  clearly  showing  that 
they  did  not  care  to  take  the  risk,  notwithstanding  their  strong 
faith.  Others  considered  the  disease  highly  contagious,  and 
would  under  no  consideration  enter  a  house  where  a  case  was 
known  to  exist.  Fortunately  the  number  of  cases  diminished 
and  people  began  to  feel  a  certain   degree  of  safety.      Though 

*  The  following  editorial  item  which  will  give  the  reader  some  idea  of  the  fearful 
ravages  of  this  disease,  was  clipped  from  the  Farmington  Chronicle  of  January  31, 
1861  :  "This  fearful  disease  is  making  sad  ravages  around  us  in  every  direction.  In 
one  small  neighborhood  in  Chesterville  we  understand  ten  persons  have  fallen  ils 
victims  within  a  brief  period.  In  one  family  the  father  died  while  his  child  was  being 
conveyed  to  its  burial.  In  another,  three  children  lay  dead  in  the  house  at  one  time, 
and  four  prostrated  with  the  disease.  Scores  of  families  in  this  and  adjoining  towns 
are  mourning  the  loss  of  one  or  more  loved  ones,  who  have  been  suddenly  smitten 
down  with  this  fatal  disease.  The  skill  of  the  physician  is  baffled  in  staying  its  pro- 
gress and  saving  its  victims." 

Below  in  the  same  column  the  editor  adds :  "  We  understand  that  in  the  neigh- 
borhood in  Chesterville,  mentioned  in  this  column,  where  the  diphtheria  has  raged 
with  such  fearful  fatality,  there  are  five  lying  dead  to-day  (Wednesday)  in  three 
families.  One  entire  family  has  been  carried  away  and  all  the  children,  seven  in 
number,  in  another.  The  whole  number  of  deaths  in  the  neighborhood  is  upwards  of 
fifteen.'' 


300  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

not  so  prevalent,  vet  there  were  many  deaths  from  this  disease 
in  1862-3-4-5. 

Late  in  the  year  i860  Barnabas  A.  Higgins  and  others  re- 
siding at  Allen's  Mills  sent  a  petition  to  the  State  Legislature 
asking  that  they  and  their  estates,  embracing  the  whole  village, 
be  set  off  from  Industry  and  annexed  to  Farmington.  The  in- 
habitants of  Industry  being  opposed  to  such  secessionary  pro- 
ceedings and  not  wishing  to  lose  so  valuable  a  tract  of  their 
domain,  promptly  called  a  special  town  meeting  to  adopt  such 
measures  as  the  exigencies  of  the  case  required.  The  meeting 
was  held  January  7,  1861,  and  Josiah  Emery  was  chosen  agent 
to  appear  before  the  legislative  committee  in  opposition  to  the 
petitioners.  About  the  same  time  Farmington  also  held  a  town 
meeting,  at  which  it  was  voted  not  to  receive  the  petitioners  and 
their  estates.  Had  that  town  voted  otherwise  it  is  doubtful 
whether  the  petitioners  could  have  been  successfully  thwarted 
in  their  purpose. 

Scarcely  had  the  boom  of  the  last  cannon  fired  on  Fort 
Sumter  died  away  and  the  wires  flashed  the  news  of  its  fall 
over  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  land,  ere  the  citizens  of  Indus- 
try, fired  with  zeal  and  patriotism,  began  active  preparations  for 
the  defense  of  the  Union.  A  "war  meeting"  was  held  at  West's 
Mills  on  Saturday,  May  4,  1861,  scarcely  more  than  three 
weeks  after  the  commencement  of  hostilities.  The  day  was 
fair  and  the  gathering  large,  being  estimated  at  fully  500  people. 
Early  in  the  morning  the  people  began  to  gather.  At  eleven 
o'clock  in  the  forenoon  a  flagstaff  was  erected  and  a  flag  raised 
amid  the  loud  huzzas  of  the  assembled  crowd.*  Mrs.  Silas  H. 
Burce  then  sang  "The  Star-Spangled  Banner"  in  a  manner 
highly  creditable  to  herself,  and  to  the  great  satisfaction  of  all 
present.      This  was  followed   by  stirring  speeches   from   Josiah 


*  Asaph  Boyden,  secretary  of  these  meetings,  wrote  The  Franklin  Patriot,  under 
date  of  May  6,  l86l,  that  "the  blue  used  by  the  Ladies'  Circle  in  making  the  flag 
was  spun  and  woven  by  Mrs.  Dudley  Thing,  a  heroine  of  the  Revolution."  This  was 
evidently  a  slip  of  the  pen,  the  1812  War  being  undoubtedly  meant,  for  Mrs.  Thing 
was  only  live  years  of  age  when  the  Declaration  of  Independence  was  proclaimed. 
The  flagstaff  above  referred  to  was  located  very  near  the  northeast  corner  of  Richard 
Fassett's  tavern. 


EVENTS  FROM   i860  TO  1866.  30 1 

Emery  and  David  Merry,  Esq.  When  they  had  finished,  the 
assembly  again  saluted  its  National  emblem  with  loud  cheers 
and  the  boom  of  cannon,  as  it  proudly  floated  on  the  breeze 
from  its  lofty  position.  A  speaker's  stand  was  improvised, 
Albert  Shaw  called  upon  to  preside  and  Asaph  Boyden  chosen 
secretary  of  the  meeting.  A  fervent  prayer  was  then  offered  by 
Dea.  Ira  Emery.  This  was  followed  by  earnest  and  patriotic 
appeals  to  the  people,  urging  them  to  stand  by  their  beloved 
Union  in  her  hour  of  peril.  Among  the  citizens  who  addressed 
the  assemblage  were  Hiram  Manter,  Gen.  Nathan  Goodridge, 
Elbridge  H.  Rackliff,  Capt.  Curtis  Pinkham,  Benjamin  Tibbetts, 
Isaac  Daggett  and  many  others.  The  speaking  was  interspersed 
with  national  and  patriotic  airs  acceptably  rendered  by  a  choir 
wholly  composed  of  local  talent.  A  committee  on  resolutions, 
appointed  at  the  opening  of  the  meeting,  then  reported  and 
read  amid  the  most  vociferous  cheering  the  following  resolutions, 
which  were  unanimously  adopted: 

Whereas  :  Almighty  God  in  blessing  our  fathers  gave  them  a 
republican  form  of  government  and  Constitution,  securing  to  all  citizens 
of  these  United  States,  life,  liberty  and  the  pursuit  of  happiness;  and 
whereas  that  government  has  been  transmitted  to  us,  their  children,  for 
safety  and  perpetuity  ;  and  whereas,  under  the  benign  anil  equal  opera- 
tion of  the  said  government,  we  have  achieved  a  national  character 
second  to  none  ;  and  whereas,  at  the  present  time  our  government  and 
liberties  are  in  imminent  peril  from  the  action  of  the  States  of  this  Union 
in  that  they  have  : 

1  st,  given  to  the  Constitution  new  and  strange  interpretations  un- 
known to  the  framers. 

2d,  They  have  barbarously  treated  many  of  the  free  men  of  this 
nation. 

3rd,  They  have  set  at  naught  the  laws  of  the  land. 

4th,  they  have  withdrawn  from  the  Union  without  consent  of  the  re- 
maining States. 

5th,  They  have  inaugurated  a  new  government  in  a  way  and  manner 
that  has  never  before  been  known,  or  even  attempted  in  the  civilized 
world. 

6th,  They  have  elected  their  officers. 

38 


302  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

;th.  They  have  seized  an  immense  amount  of  money,  munitions  of 
war,  and  other  property  belonging  to  the  United  States. 

8th,  They  have  actually  commenced  a  war  by  attacking  Fort  Sumter. 
and  threatening  to  march  upon  the  Capitol,  thus  aiming  to  overthrow 
that  Government,  the  securing  and  establishing  of  which  cost  our  fathers 
a  seven  years'  conflict  with  Great  Britain,  and  thus  leaving  us  two  alter 
nativ  es  : 

ist.  To  submit  to  Jefferson  Davis  as  cowards  unworthy  of  our  birth- 
right ;  or. 

2d.  To  arise  in  the  strength  and  dignity  of  freemen  and  show  the 
traitors  that  we  will  maintain  our  constitutional  rights.     Therefore. 

Resolved, —  r St,  That  the  Constitution  and  laws  must  and  shall  he 
maintained  at  all  and  every  hazard. 

2d.  That  this  great  crisis  imperatively  demands  the  firm  and  united 
support  of  every  patriot,  irrespective  of  party  organization. 

3rd.  That  we  prefer  no  other  banner  to  float  over  us  during  the  im- 
pending conflict,  than  that  of  the  "red.  white  and  blue,"  the  American 
eagle  with  thirty  four  stars. 

4th.  That  in  the  immortal  language  of  the  heroes  of  '76,  to  preserve 
our  Independence  united,  we  pledge  our  lives,  our  fortunes  and  our 
3  11  1  cd  honor. 

Resolved,  That  we.  citizens  of  Industry,  do  hereby  pledge  ourselves 
to  stand  by  and  support  the  families  that  may  be  left  in  consequence  of 
enlistments  which  have  or  may  be  made  in  the  army  to  defend  our  con- 
stitutional rights,  if  need  he. 

[Signed.] 

Josiah  Emery.  Rufus  Jennings. 

Oliver  Stevens.  Hiram  Manter. 

James  Cutts.  David  Patterson. 

Benjamin  N.  Willis.  David  Merry. 

Andrew  Tibbetts.  James  Elliott. 

Isaac  Daggett.  Nathan  Goodridge. 

(  1  immittee  on  Resolutions. 

After  other  exercises,  including  the  presentation  of  a  sword 
and  epaulettes  to  Capt.  Curtis  Pinkham  by  Josiah  Emery,  the 
meeting  adjourned  to  meet  in  two  weeks.  During  these  war 
meetings,  which  continued  up  to  and  culminated  in  a  grand 
celebration  on  July  4th,  many  exciting  scenes  transpired.  A 
company   was   organized   and   equipped   with    "wooden    guns." 


EVENTS  FROM  i860  TO  1866.  303 

Swords,  pistols,  belts  and  other  military  trappings  were  brought 
down  from  the  garrets  to  which  they  had  been  consigned  years 
before.  Articles  of  military  dress  became  all  the  rage,  and  the 
boy  who  did  not  make  some  pretentions  in  this  direction  was 
counted  unpatriotic  and  of  little  account  by  his  companions. 

Martial  music  became  popular,  and  the  shrill  notes  of  the 
fife  and  the  lively  rattle  of  the  tenor  drum  were  familiar  sounds 
to  all.  Daniel  Hilton  was  a  skillful  performer  on  the  fife,  and 
with  William  O.  Folsom  as  drummer,  usually  furnished  music 
for  the  war  meetings  or  "trainings,"  as  nearly  every  one  called 
them. 

The  cannon  used  on  these  occasions  was  a  rude  piece  of 
ordnance,  improvised  by  drilling  out  a  piece  of  heavy  mill 
shafting  and  mounting  it  on  a  pair  of  wagon  wheels,  to  which 
a  long  rope  was  attached  for  hauling  it  about.  Gen.  William 
Nye,  having  been  authorized  to  raise  a  volunteer  company  in 
Franklin  County,  occasionally  attended  these  meetings  for  the 
purpose  of  securing  enlistments.  At  such  times  he  was  politely 
tendered  the  command  of  this  extemporaneous  company.  On 
one  of  these  occasions,  as  General  Nye  was  engaged  in  exer- 
cising the  men  in  the  various  military  evolutions  and  firing  the 
cannon  at  frequent  intervals,  a  large  number  of  by-standers 
formed  themselves  into  an  impromptu  company,  and,  after 
some  manoeuvring,  seized  the  cannon  and  hauled  it  away 
before  he  or  his  men  were  fully  aware  of  their  intent.  Captain 
Pinkham  denounced  the  captors  as  "  rebels,"  and  gallantly 
tendered  General  Nye  the  services  of  himself  and  company  to 
re-capture  the  piece. 

After  securing  their  booty,  "  the  rebels  "  had  retreated  and 
took  refuge  in  John  W.  Frederic's  blacksmith  shop.  Capt. 
Pinkham,  at  the  head  of  his  company,  boldly  marched  his  men 
to  the  front  of  the  building  and  demanded  an  immediate  sur- 
render "  in  the  name  of  the  United  States  of  America."  There- 
upon the  door  was  thrown  open  as  if  in  obedience  to  the 
command.  If  such  an  idea  had,  for  an  instant,  entered  Capt. 
Pinkham's  head,  it  was  speedily  dispelled,  for,  instead  of  a 
vanquished   foe  ready  to   surrender,  the   formidable  cannon  was 


304  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

seen  leveled  on  the  crowd  instantly  ready  to  belch  forth  smoke 
and  flame.  This  was  more  than  the  valiant  captain  could  stand, 
and  he  beat  a  precipitous  retreat.  A  hearty  laugh  followed, 
for  his  men  had  discovered  that  the  cannon  was  not  loaded. 
Acting  upon  this  discovery,  the  men  went  at  it,  and  a  regular 
melee  ensued   before  the  piece  was  regained. 

The  muster  and  celebration  at  West's  Mills  on  July  4th, 
1 86 1,  probably  brought  together  the  largest  number  of  people 
ever  seen  in  that  village,  if  not  in  the  town.  The  exercises 
were  such  as  are  usually  had  on  these  occasions,  including 
speaking  at  the  church  and  the  mustering  and  review  of  a 
regiment  of  militia  by  Gen.  William  Nye,  on  the  flat  west  of  the 
village.  On  that  day  the  General,  either  willfully  or  inadvert- 
ently offered  the  Industry  company  an  affront  which  came  near 
resulting  in  serious  trouble.  This  company  formed  at  the 
church,  and  was  commanded  by  Reuben  Hatch.  It  was  custom- 
ary, on  such  occasions,  as  each  company  arrived,  for  the  colonel 
to  send  out  his  band  as  an  escort  to  their  place  in  the  line. 
This  General  Nye  failed  to  do  on  the  arrival  of  the  Industry 
company,  which  caused  much  feeling  among  the  members,  and 
even  threats  of  personal  violence  to  General  Nye  were  freely 
indulged  in  by  a  few  of  the  more  passionate  ones.  The  calmer 
judgment  of  the  leading  members  prevailed,  however,  order  was 
at  length  restored,  the  company  took  its  place  in  the  line, 
and  by  the  promptness  and  precision  of  its  movements,  received 
the  high  compliment  of  being  the  best-drilled  company  in  the 
regiment. 

April  15,  1 861,  President  Lincoln  issued  a  proclamation 
calling  for  75,000  men,  to  serve  three  months.  This  call  was 
responded  to  with  alacrity  and  enthusiasm,  and  the  required 
number  soon  raised  without  apportioning  to  each  State  and 
town  its  epiota.  No  enlistments  occurred  in  Industry  under 
this  call,  and  the  few  who  entered  the  service  from  this  town 
enlisted  elsewhere. 

Many  of  the  events  during  the  early  days  of  the  Civil  War 
were  to  the  citizens  of  the  Northern  States  of  deep  interest  and 
momentous  consequence.      Among  these,  the  abandonment  and 


EVENTS  FROM    i860    TO    1866.  305 

destruction  of  Norfolk  Navy  Yard,  on  the  nis^ht  of  April  19, 
i86i,  was  an  irreparable  loss  to  the  United  States.  This  yard 
was  conceded  to  be  the  finest  in  the  world,  and  its  wanton  de- 
struction was  greatly  deplored.  Epithets  of  bitter  opprobrium 
were  heaped  on  the  commandant,  McCauley,  in  every  little  ham- 
let throughout  the  North,  for  his  cowardice  and  hypocrisy.  By 
this  and  other  events  excitement  was  kept  at  a  white  heat  all 
through  the  early  days  of  the  war. 

While  all  were  turning  their  attention  toward  the  Sunny 
South,  eagerly  watching  for  "news  from  the  war,"  a  comet  of 
considerable  magnitude  made  its  appearance  in  the  heavens. 
This  in  time  of  peace  would  have  created  no  little  interest,  but 
with  an  internecine  war  of  so  great  importance  raging  between 
two  powerful  factions  of  the  Union  this  matter  received  but  a 
passing  thought.  Possibly  the  more  superstitious  saw  in  the 
presence  of  this  celestial  visitor  the  harbinger  of  a  long  and 
sanguinary  war. 

A  general  scarcity  of  silver  money  occurred  soon  after  the 
breaking  out  of  the  war.  As  small  silver  coin  grew  more  and 
more  scarce,  the  inconvenience  of  making  change  was  very 
great,  and  postage  stamps  were  employed  to  remedy  the 
defect.  But  these  were  inconvenient,  especially  in  the  hot, 
sweltering  weather  of  summer,  or  when  handled  with  moist  or 
wet  hands.  To  obviate  this  difficulty,  and  at  the  same  time 
advertise  their  business,  enterprising  business  firms  had  postage 
stamps  framed  in  small  oval  metal  cases,  the  face  of  the  stamp 
being  covered  with  a  thin  piece  of  isinglass,  or  mica,  more 
correctly  speaking.  The  metal  back  usually  bore  the  name 
and  business  of  the  firm  by  whom  it  was  issued.  Among 
country  merchants  cotton  thread  was  legal  tender  at  its  par 
value,  i.  e.,  one  cent  per  skein.  During  the  war  many  small 
medals  of  bronze  were  struck,  and  these  were  frequently  used 
in  making  change.  The  most  common  among  these  was  every- 
where known  as  the  "Army  and  Navy  Cent."  This  medal  was 
of  bronze,  and  about  the  same  size  and  weight  as  the  U.  S. 
bronze  cent  contemporaneously  coined.  One  side  bore  the 
inscription,  "Army  and  Navy,"  the  obverse,  "The  Federal 
Union,  it  must  and  shall  be  preserved." 


306  HISTORY   OF  INDUSTRY. 

By  the  early  fall  in  [861,  silver  coin  had  been  wholly  with- 
drawn from  circulation.  At  this  juncture  merchants  and  other 
business  men  issued  what  was  popularly  known  as  individual 
currency.  This  in  form  was  something  like  the  United  States 
fractional  currency  afterward  issued,  although  in  some  instances 
it  varied  to  suit  the  fancy  of  the  individual.  This  currency 
was  signed  by  the  person  issuing  it,  and  each  piece  was  virtu- 
ally a  note  of  hand,  payable  in  goods,  for  the  fractional  part  of 
a  dollar  specified.  John  Willis  was  the  only  person  in  Industry 
to  issue  this  variety  of  currency,  and  at  one  time  he  had  be- 
tween live  and  eight  hundred  dollars  in  circulation.  It  has 
been  claimed  that  the  United  States  Government  got  the  idea 
for  the  design  of  its  fractional  currency  from  the  common  prac- 
tice of  using  stamps  and  individual  currency  for  change.  In- 
deed, in  general  appearance  the  early  issues  did  resemble  a 
piece  of  "individual  scrip"  with  a  postage  stamp  stuck  on  the 
centre  of  its  face  side.  The  United  States  currency  was  not 
well  received  at  first,  and  was  contemptuously  called  "shin 
plasters."  The  central  figure  on  this  currency  was  subsequently 
surrounded  by  a  circle  of  bronze  or  gilt.  For  a  long  time  it 
was  a  current  joke  that  this  was  done  "to  give  the  currency 
a  metal  ring" 

The  tragical  death  of  Col.  Elmer  E.  Ellsworth,  on  the  24th 
of   May,    1861,  cast    a    shadow    of    gloom    over    the    people    of 

Industry,   as   did    that   of  Col.  Baker   the   same,  and   Gen. 

Nathaniel  Lyon  the  following  year.  The  intelligence  of  the 
battle  of  Bull  Run  filled  the  hearts  of  all  with  sad  and  gloomy 
forebodings.  It  was  now  evident  that  the  Nation  had  a  foe  to 
contend  with  in  every  respect  worthy  of  his  steel,  and  although 
the  people  of  the  Northern  States  were  no  less  brave,  the  result 
of  this  battle  thoroughly  stamped  out  that  effervescent  enthu- 
siasm so  conspicuous  at  the  commencement  of  hostilities.  After 
this  no  one  had  the  foolhardiness  to  predict  the  speedy  termina- 
tion of    the  war,  <>r  that   the  sons  of  the    South  would  not   fight. 

The  Confederate  Government  sent  James  M.  Mason  and 
John  Slidell  to  France  and  England,  as  commissioners,  in 
November,  1861,  hoping  to  obtain  assistance   from  these  coun- 


EVENTS  FROM   i860    TO    1866.  307 

tries.  Messrs.  Mason  and  Slidell  embarked  on  the  English 
mail-steamer  "  Trent,"  and  were  arrested  on  the  high  seas,  by 
Capt.  Charles  Wilkes  of  the  U.  S.  steamer  "  San  Jacinto,"  and 
taken  to  Boston.  England  was  greatly  exasperated  at  this 
audacious  act  and  promptly  demanded  the  prisoners'  release, 
on  a  threat  of  war  in  case  the  demand  was  not  immediately 
heeded.  This  event  caused  much  excitement  and  discussion,  as 
the  attitude  of  England  clearly  indicated  war  in  case  the  prison- 
ers were  not  speedily  released.  As  war  with  England  at  such  a 
critical  juncture  was  not  to  be  thought  of,  the  government 
released  the  prisoners  and  promptly  disavowed  the  action  of 
Captain  Wilkes. 

The  year  1 86 1  was  remarkable  from  the  fact  that  the  apple 
crop  in  Industry  was  a  total  failure.  Orchards,  which  had 
hitherto  borne  bountifully,  were  wholly  devoid  of  fruit  this  year 
and  a  great  scarcity  of  apples  was  the  result. 

But  little  of  interest  occurred  during  the  winter  of  186 1-2. 
The  following  spring  the  militia  was  enrolled,  and  on  the  17th 
of  July,  1862,  a  meeting  was  held  for  the  election  of  officers. 
The  members  met  at  West's  Mills,  and  the  following  officers 
were  chosen:  Captain,  Josiah  Emery;  1st  Lieutenant,  Nathan 
S.  Johnson;  2d  Lieutenant,  Benjamin  Learned;  3d  Lieutenant, 
Melvin  Viles  ;   4th  Lieutenant,  Joseph  Warren  Smith. 

William  Henry  Erost  and  John  T.  Luce  were  first  among  the 
brave  boys  from  Industry  to  sacrifice  their  lives  on  the  altar  of 
their  country.  The  former  died  at  Beaufort,  South  Carolina, 
the  latter  at  Ship  Island,  Miss.  The  obsequies  of  these  patriots 
held  at  the  Centre  Meeting-House  on  a  Sabbath  day  in  August, 
1862,  was  a  season  of  deep  and  impressive  solemnity.  The 
house  was  appropriately  decorated  for  the  occasion,  and  the 
processions  marched  to  and  from  the  church  to  the  music  of 
muffled  drums,  and  under  the  escort  of  a  detachment  of  the 
Industry  militia. 

Under  the  President's  call  of  July  2,  1862,  for  men  to  serve 
three  years,  Industry's  quota  was  nine  men.  Soon  after  this 
requisition  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  was  called  by  the  selectmen 
to  assemble  in  John  Willis's  hall  at  West's  Mills,  July  26,  1862, 


308  HISTORY   OF   INDUSTRY. 

at  one  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  At  this  meeting  Daniel  H. 
Taylor  was  chosen  moderator,  and  after  some  discussion  the 
town  voted  to  raise  the  sum  of $100  for  each  person  who  would 
volunteer  until  the  forementioned  quota  of  nine  should  be  filled. 
In  response  to  this  call  Francis  0.  Bean,  Nelson  0.  Bean,  Sam- 
uel II.  and  Oliver  1).  Norton  and  others  enlisted.* 

August  4,  1862,  the  President  made  a  further  call  for  300,000 
men  to  serve  nine  months,  and  under  this  call  Industry's  quota 
was  13.  The  authorities  were  ordered  to  make  a  draft  from  the 
enrolled  militia  to  answer  the  call.  The  day  fixed  for  the  draft 
throughout  the  State  was  Wednesday,  September  3d,  and  the 
members  of  the  militia  in  Industry  were  duly  notified  to  meet  at 
West's  Mills  at  nine  o'clock  on  the  day  specified.  The  manner 
of  conducting  such  a  draft  was  to  be  as  follows  :  A  suitable 
box  was  to  be  provided  for  the  purpose,  and  therein  the  clerk 
was  directed  to  place,  in  the  presence  of  the  company,  as  many 
slips  of  paper  as  there  were  names  enrolled;  upon  these  slips 
were  to  be  written  in  letters,  and  not  figures,  the  numbers  from 
one  to  that  which  expressed  the  entire  number  of  men  enrolled, 
each  slip  having  but  one  name  written  thereon.  The  box  was 
to  be  closed  and  the  papers  therein  thoroughly  shaken  up.  The 
roll  was  then  to  be  called  in  alphabetical  order,  and  each  man 
in  answer  to  his  name  was  required  to  come  forward  and  draw 
one  slip,  which  he  handed  to  the  clerk,  who  read  the  number 
aloud  and  entered  it  opposite  the  person's  name  who  drew  it ; 
thus  the  draft  was  to  be  continued  until  all  the  numbers  were 
drawn.  Then  beginning  at  the  lowest  number  on  this  list  and 
extending  upward  in  regular  numerical  order,  the  names  were 
selected  until  the  required  number  was  obtained.  Nelson  C. 
Luce  was  chosen  clerk,  and  every  preparation  for  the  draft  was 


*  Alonzo  Frost  also  enlisted  under  this  call  and  received  his  order  for  bounty  money 
August  5,  1862.  This  order  was  given  before  Mr.  Frost  was  mustered  in,  and  was 
issued  by  the  chairman  of  the  hoard  without  the  knowledge  or  sanction  of  the  other 
selectmen.  There  was  an  unsuccessful  effort  on  the  part  of  the  town  to  have  the 
order  rescinded.  A  member  of  the  board  at  that  time  writes:  "The  selectmen  as  a 
board  were  censured  for  this  act  and  justly  too,  I  think.  But  like  many  things  in  those 
days  of  hurry,  excitement  and  illegal  proceedings,  all  was  forgotten  in  the  feeling  for 
the  common  cause  and  all  mistakes  were  swallowed  without  much  sugar  coating." 


EVENTS  FROM  i860  TO   1866.  309 

made.  The  matter  created  considerable  excitement  throughout 
the  town,  and  each  person  liable  to  be  drawn  was  constantly 
asking  himself,  "Is  it  I?"  The  selectmen  issued  their  warrant, 
dated  Aug.  26,  1862,  calling  a  meeting  of  the  legal  voters  at  ten 
o'clock  on  the  day  set  for  the  draft.  The  object  of  this  meeting, 
as  set  forth  in  article  second  of  the  warrant,  was  "to  see  what 
measures  the  town  will  take  in  regard  to  raising  money  for  vol- 
unteers or  drafted  men."  Meeting  at  the  appointed  hour  for 
the  draft  it  was  ascertained  that  several  held  themselves  in  read- 
iness to  enlist,  providing  the  town  would  offer  sufficient  induce- 
ment in  the  way  of  bounty,  and  it  was  confidently  believed  by 
many  that  a  draft  could  thus  be  averted.  To  anticipate  the 
probable  action  of  the  town,  at  its  approaching  meeting,  an 
informal  vote  of  the  assembled  people  was  taken.  This  was 
unanimously  in  favor  of  offering  a  bounty  for  volunteer  enlist- 
ments. Thus  encouraged,  the  draft  was  postponed  until  after 
the  town  should  have  held  its  meeting  and  legalized  its  informal 
vote.  At  ten  o'clock  the  meeting  assembled  and  chose  Daniel 
Hilton  moderator.  Thereupon  it  was  voted  to  pay  each  volun- 
teer enlisting  on  the  nine  months'  quota  $100,  until  the  requi- 
site number  should  be  obtained.  At  an  adjourned  session  of 
this  meeting,  holden  on  Saturday,  September  6th,  at  four 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  an  additional  sum  of  fifty  dollars  was 
voted  to  each  volunteer  who  had  already  enlisted  or  would  now 
volunteer.  After  the  vote  to  pay  $100  bounty  was  passed, 
several  signified  a  willingness  to  enlist.  Others  said  they  would 
volunteer  providing  the  bounty  was  made  a  little  larger. 

As  the  day  was  oppressively  warm,  and  the  citizens  of  the 
town  with  their  wives  and  children  were  out  in  full  force,  it  was 
proposed  to  adjourn  from  the  street  to  the  church.  Here 
matters  went  on  much  the  same  as  at  a  Methodist  revival  meet- 
ing. There  were  earnest  exhortations  for  those  present  to 
volunteer,  and  much  cheering  as  one  after  another  signified  his 
willingness  to  enlist.  All  who  had  thus  pledged  themselves 
were  invited  to  take  a  seat  in  the  pulpit.  As  one  of  these, 
William  O.  Folsom,  took  his  seat  in  the  sacred  desk,  he  said: 
"Well,  now  I   feel   better  since  I   have  taken  this  step."     Those 

39 


3IO  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

willing  to  enlist  for  $150  bounty  were  also  requested  to  take  a 
seat  with  the  others.  Thus,  amid  patriotic  appeals,  cheers,  and 
the  tears  of  mothers,  wives  and  friends,  one  after  another  joined 
the  little  company  until  the  required  number  was  well-nigh 
obtained.*  As  previously  stated,  the  citizens  at  an  adjourned 
session  of  their  meeting,  voted  the  additional  fifty  dollars  and 
were  thus  enabled  to  fill  the  town's  quota  without  resorting  to  a 
draft.  The  citizens  at  the  same  meeting  made  generous  provis- 
ions for  any  drafted  men  who  might  enter  the  service  in  case  non- 
acceptance  of  the  volunteer  recruits  rendered  a  draft  necessary. 
In  such  case  the  drafted  men  were  to  receive  the  same  bounty 
from  the  town,  subject  to  the  same  conditions,  as  the  volunteers. 
As  fast  as  enlisted  and  accepted,  the  nine  months'  men  from 
Industry  were  rendezvoused  at  Camp  E.  1).  Keyes,  at  the  State 
capital. f  So  zealously  and  effectually  did  the  authorities  labor 
in  enlisting  men,  that  on  the  twentieth  of  November,  1862,  the 
selectmen  received  official  notice  that  Industry's  apportionment 
under  the  President's  call  of  Juh'  2d,  for  men  to  serve  three 
years,  and  August  4th,  for  nine  months'  men,  had  been  can- 
celled. 

Deprived  of  the  support  of  sons,  husbands  and  fathers,  by 
reason  of  their  enlistment,  many  families  were  left  in  destitute 
circumstances,  and  their  needs  now  claimed  the  attention  of 
the  citizens  of  Industry.  An  act  was  passed  by  the  State 
Legislature,  and  approved  March  18,  [862,  authorizing  towns 
to  extend  aid  to  the  needy  families  of  soldiers  in  the  service. 
A  special   town  meeting  was  called   Dec.   1,  1862,  and   the  town 


*  Rev.  Ira  Emery,  an  eye-witness  of  these  proceedings,  thus  writes  of  the  meet- 
ing: "That  day  and  its  events  was  one  of  the  most  striking  and  impressive  of  any  in 
town  during  the  war  and  its  scenes  J  shall  never  forget.  There  were  gathered  in  that 
church  fathers,  mothers,  sons  and  daughters,  all  interested  witnesses  of  that  almost 
dramatic  scene.  As  one  after  another  volunteered,  the  scene  was  deeply  solemn  and 
impressive.  Some  clapped  their  hands  and  cheer  followed  cheer.  Others,  and  there 
were  many  such,  wept." 

+  I  he  following  is  a  lisl  of  the  nun  who  enlisted  under  the  call  for  nine  months' 
volunteers:  Hiram  P.  Durrell,  William  H.  Edwards,  Benjamin  Follett,  William  Q. 
Folsom,  John  F.  Deny,  Gilbert  R.  Merry,  Elias  Miller,  David  M.  Norton,  Charles  S. 
Prince,  Samuel  Rackliff,  Benjamin  Tibbetts,  George  F.  Williams,  Hubbard  S.Rob- 
erts     '  mly  twelve  of  thi  se  men  were  mustered   into  the  I".  S.  service. 


EVENTS  FROM  i860  TO  1866.  3  I  I 

voted  to  appropriate  $100  for  the  relief  of  needy  families  of 
soldiers  agreeably  to  an  act  of  the  State  Legislature.  At  the 
annual  meeting  in  1863,  the  town  voted  to  extend  aid  to  D. 
Collins  Luce,  whose  minor  son,  John  T.  Luce,  had  died  in  the 
service;  also  to  other  needy  families.  By  this  opportune  action 
of  the  State  Legislature,  the  wants  of  the  many  indigent  fami- 
lies were  relieved.  This  privilege,  in  some  instances,  may  have 
been  abused,  but  such  cases  were  rare  and  exceptional.  The 
town  voted  to  raise  $1000  for  the  support  of  soldiers'  families, 
at  its  annual  meeting  March  14,  1864,  and  ever  afterward  a 
most  liberal  course  was  pursued  in  supplying  their  wants. 

Repeated  disasters  and  disappointments  had  prepared  the 
people  of  Industry  for  almost  any  change  that  might  occur; 
hence  the  Emancipation  Proclamation  of  President  Lincoln, 
made  public  Sept.  22,  1862,  declaring  that  on  Jan.  1,  1863, 
"  all  persons  held  as  slaves  within  any  State  or  designated  part 
of  a  State  the  people  whereof  shall  be  in  rebellion  against  the 
United  States,  shall  be  then  and  thenceforward  and  forever 
free,"  was  received  with  little  or  no  surprise,  and  only  passing 
comment. 

The  events  of  1863  were  of  a  character  well  calculated  to 
create  intense  excitement  in  every  hamlet  and  town  throughout 
the  country,  and  at  times  to  cause  a  feeling  of  personal  uncer- 
tainty even  among  the  citizens  of  Industry.  Congress  had 
passed  a  "conscription  act,"  more  troops  were  needed  and  a 
draft  seemed  imminent.  No  person  enrolled  under  this  act  for 
a  moment  felt  safe  when  a  call  for  fresh  troops  was  made.  How 
eagerly  were  lists  of  drafted  men  scrutinized  by  each  one  liable 
to  do  military  duty,  to  ascertain  if  his  name  was  among  the 
unfortunate  ones, —  not  to  mention  mothers,  wives,  sisters  and 
friends  of  the  enrolled.  This  act  was  regarded  with  much  dis- 
favor by  a  class  of  ignorant,  unprincipled  citizens,  so  numerous 
especially  in  all  large  cities  and  towns.  These  manifested  their 
disloyalty  by  openly  denouncing  the  action  of  Congress,  and 
threatening  resistance  to  any  attempt  to  execute  its  provisions. 
Fortunately  the  citizens  of  Industry  formed  an  exception  and 
remained  true  to  the  Federal  cause,  though  sharing  the  same 


312  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

feeling  of  insecurity  experienced  by  the  loyal  citizens  in  other 
towns  throughout  the  State.  This  sense  of  personal  insecurity 
was  still  further  intensified  by  well-authenticated  reports  that  a 
piratical-looking  craft  had  been  seen  hovering  off  the  Maine 
coast.  Soon  after  this,  on  the  26th  of  June,  1863,  the  rebel 
privateer  " Tacony "  entered  Portland  harbor  and  captured  the 
revenue  cutter  "  Caleb  Gushing."  This  act  of  audacious  daring 
everywhere  caused  the  most  intense  excitement  and  alarm. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 
EVENTS  FROM  i860  TO  1866.   CONTINUED. 

( leneral  Lee  Begins  the  March  of  an  Invader. — Crosses  the  "  Mason  and  Dixon  Line." — 
Gloomy  Prospects  of  the  Federal  Cause. — Numerous  Desertions  from  the  Union 
Army. — Organization  of  Districts  under  the  Provisions  of  the  Conscription  Act. 
— First  Conscripts  from  Industry. — The  Non  Campos  Conscript. — "The  Kingrield 
Riot."- — Efforts  of  Drafted  Men  to  Secure  Town  Bounty. — The  Somerset  and 
Franklin  Wool-Growers'  Association. — Call  for  More  Troops. — $300  Town  Bounty 
Offered  for  Volunteer  Enlistments. — Stamp  Act  Passed. — Steamer  "Chesapeake" 
Captured. — Attempts  Made  to  Raid  Maine's  Eastern  Border. — Re-enlistments. — 
Furloughed  Soldiers  Tendered  a  Banquet. — $600  Town  Bounty  Offered  for  Vol- 
unteer Enlistments. — Second  Draft  Made. — Small-pox  Outbreak. — Aid  to  Soldiers 
in  the  Field. — Inflated  Prices. —  Efforts  of  Men  who  Furnished  Substitutes  to 
Recover  the  Sum  Paid  for  the  Same. — Third  Draft  Made. — Close  of  the  War. — 
Great  Rejoicing. — Flag-raisings  at  Allen's  and  West's  Mills — Assassination  of 
President  Lincoln. — Memorial  Services  in  Industry. — Cost  of  the  War  to  the 
Town  of  Industry. 

On  the  26th  day  of  June,  1863,  Lee,  inspired  no  doubt  by  his 
victories  at  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville,  boldly  crossed 
the  Potomac  River  into  Maryland  and  began  the  march  of  an 
invader.  Marching  his  army  across  the  State  of  Maryland  he 
entered  Pennsylvania.  At  this  juncture  the  Federal  cause  looked 
gloomy  indeed,  and  desertions  were  of  frequent  occurrence, 
amounting  at  one  time  to  two  hundred  men  per  day.  These 
circumstances  combined  created  the  most  intense  excitement  and 
trepidation  among  the  peace-loving  citizens  of  Industry,  and  not 
till  after  the  decisive  victory  on  the  field  of  Gettysburg  did  the 
people  breathe  easily.  It  was  during  the  suspense  of  this 
exciting  period  that  the  first  draft  occurred  under  the  President's 

call  of  ,  1863.      By  the   newly-enacted  conscription  law, 

each  congressional  district  was  placed   under   the  control   of  a 


314 


HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 


board  of  enrollment,  consisting  of  a  provost  marshal,  commis- 
sioner and  examining  surgeon.  Each  drafting  district  was 
divided  into  sub-districts  of  convenient  size.  The  headquarters 
of  the  Second  Congressional  District,  which  included  Industry/ 
was  at  Lewiston,  and  under  control  of  the  following  board: 
Provost  Marshal,  John  S.Baker;  Commissioner,  Joel  Perham, 
|r.  ;  Surgeon,  Alexander  Burbank.  A  draft  for  the  sub-district 
of  Industry  was  held  early  in  the  month  of  July,  and  the  follow- 
in  g  names  were  drawn  : 


Hiram    1'.  Durrell. 
Alvin   S.  ( '.ray. 
Menzir   11.  Merry. 
1  >aniel  Collins,  Jr. 
John   1).  Leaver. 
Warren  N.  Willis. 
Ebenezer  Swift.  Jr. 
John  W.  McLaughlin. 
Benjamin  W.  Norton.  Jr. 
Tobias  C.  Walton. 


J.  Calvin  Oliver. 
William  J.  Gilmore. 
Loren  A.  Shaw. 
Charles  S.  Prince. 
James   Edgecomb. 
Zebadiah  Johnson,  Jr. 
Joseph   Eveleth. 
Elias   H.  Johnson. 
George  Luce. 


(  Hit  of  this  number,  so  far  as  can  be  learned,  not  one  entered 
the  service.  Those  not  exempted  by  physical  disability  either 
hired  substitutes  or  paid  $300  commutation  money.  Warren 
N.  Willis  furnished  as  a  substitute,  Charles  E.  Thompson  of 
Lewiston,  and  Benjamin  W.  Norton,  Jr.,  Frank  E.  Hutchins  of 
New  Portland. 


COMMUTATORS. 


Menzir    1!.  Merry. 
( ieoree    Luce. 


1  >aniel  Collins,  Jr. 
William  J.  Gilmore. 


The  measures  sometimes  resorted  to  in  order  to  secure 
exemption,  while  of  a  questionable  character,  were  occasionally 
quite  amusing.  ( )ne  of  the  most  laughable  as  well  as  success- 
ful ot  these  deceptions,  was  perpetrated  on  the  examining  board 
by  a  citizen  ot  Industry.  The  person  in  question  was  naturally 
ot  tine  physique  and  commanding  personal  appearance.  But 
tor  the  occasion   he  arrayed   himself  in   a   grotesque  suit,  much 


Industry  was  the  seventh  sub-district. 


EVENTS  FROM    i860    TO    1866.  3 1  5 

too  small,  and  from  which  legs  and  arms  protruded  in  the  most 
surprising  manner;  pantaloons  of  the  most  ancient  pattern, 
white  vest,  blue  swallow-tail  coat,  ornamented  with  rows  of 
brass  buttons,  which  his  grandfather  might  perchance  have 
worn  on  his  wedding  day.  On  his  head  he  wore  a  battered 
white  tile  of  by-gone  days.  With  stooping  form,  wildly  dis- 
hevelled hair  and  bleary  eyes,  protected  by  a  pair  of  green 
spectacles,  he  presented  himself  at  the  Provost  Marshal's  head- 
quarters, lead  by  an  attendant.  With  tottering  gait,  he  was 
lead  to  a  vacant  chair,  where  he  seated  himself,  and  with  mouth 
agap  and  idiotic  stare  gazed  straight  up  at  the  ceiling,  t<>  all 
appearances  totally  unconscious  of  his  surroundings.  Soon 
the  surgeon  began  to  question  him,  but  for  a  time  he  paid  no 
heed  to  his  interrogatories.  At  length  he  turned  to  his  attend- 
ant and,  in  a  deep,  nasal,  bass  tone,  drawled  out:  "Be  they 
talkin'  to  you  ur  to  me,  pa?"  "To  you,  Erastus,"  shouted  his 
attendant,  in  stentorian  tones.  "Ha?"  interrogated  the  con- 
script, as  his  chin  dropped  until  it  nearly  rested  on  his  shirt 
front.  "To  you,  Erastus,"  again  yelled  his  attendant,  placing 
his  mouth  close  to  the  listener's  car  and  shouting  out  his  reply 
in  tones  which  might  have  been  heard  several  blocks  away. 
"Tell-um  to  tawk  louder,"  roared  the  conscript.  "Here's  a 
pretty  go,"  exclaimed  the  examining  officer,  "a  fellow  as  deaf 
as  an  adder,  and  evidently  not  sound  in  the  upper  story.  Enter 
this  man  non  compos,  Mr.  Clerk,"  remarked  the  surgeon,  as  he 
turned  to  receive  the  next  waiting  applicant. 

Although  no  disrespect  was  shown  the  notifying  officer  in 
Industry,  these  servants  of  the  law  were  not  so  well  received  in 
some  of  the  towns  in  North  Franklin.  The  public  mind  had 
been  wrought  to  a  high  state  of  excitement  by  the  events  of 
the  past  few  months  and  the  uncertain  prospects  of  the  Federal 
Government.  With  such  a  condition  of  the  public  mind,  a 
more  unpropitious  time  for  a  draft  could  not  have  been  found. 
But  more  troops  were  needed  in  the  field,  and  these  must  be 
had. 

The  Kingfield  riot,  so-called,  was,  briefly  stated,  the  outgrowth 
of  an  attempt  by  the   notifying  officer  to  conceal   the   fact  that 


3  l6  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

he  had  in  his  possession  the  notices  to  be  served  on  the  drafted 
men,  on  the  one  part,  and  the  action  of  a  few  injudicious,  hasty- 
tempered  young  men  on  the  other.  The  statement  that  he  did 
nol  have  the  notices  in  his  possession  proved  to  be  untrue. 
Angered  by  this  deception  a  few  men  and  boys  told  the  officer 
he  must  leave  the  town,  which  lie  did.  Those  concerned  in 
this  treasonable  act  were  not  by  any  means  the  leading  men  of 
the  town.  The  existing  bitter  partisan  spirit  had  a  tendency  to 
magnify  and  distort  the  reports  and  great  excitement  prevailed, 
even  in  the  little  town  of  Industry.  A  detachment  of  the  militia 
was  sent  to  Kingfield  to  restore  order  and  enforce  the  law.  They 
found  nothing  to  do,  however,  but  to  spend  their  time  in  hunt- 
ing, fishing  and  feasting.  Carefully  considered,  the  bare  facts 
show  nothing  to  justify  the  application  of  the  term  "riot"  to  the 
Kingfield  affair. 

A  special  town  meeting  was  called,  Jul)-  I,  1863,  to  see  if 
the  town  would  vote  "to  raise  $100  or  any  other  sum  to  pay 
each  man  who  may  be  drafted  under  the  present  conscription 
act."  After  choosing  Col.  James  Davis  moderator,  voted  to 
pass  by  the  article  and  adjourn  sine  (lie. 

Undiscouragcd  by  their  defeat  the  interested  parties  immedi- 
ately petitioned  the  selectmen  to  call  a  second  meeting  to  as- 
semble at  West's  Mills,  July  1  1,  1863,  "to  sec  if  the  town  would 
vote  to  raise  $300,  or  any  sum,  to  hire  substitutes  for  men  called 
into  the  U.  S.  service  under  the  existing  conscription  act."  This 
proposition  shared  the  fate  of  its  predecessor,  as  did  a  subse- 
quent proposition  made  before  the  close  of  the  month. 

THE    WOOL-GROWERS'  ASSOCIATION. 

It  had  been  a  fact  long  known  and  frequently  discussed,  that 
the  wool-growers  were  in  a  large  measure  dependent  upon,  and 
at  the  mercy  of  the  wool-buyers ;  that  by  the  united  manage- 
ment of  the  last-named  parties  wool  was  frequently  bought  up 
at  a  figure  considerably  below  the  market  price,  and  one  that 
gave  these  middlemen  an  unusually  large  profit.  These  facts 
became  topics  of  such  moment  among  wool-producers  that, 
with  a  view  of  improving  their  condition,  a   number  of  gentle- 


EVENTS  FROM   i860    TO    1866.  3  I  7 

men  from  Industry  and  Anson,  met  at  the  house  of  Hiram 
Manter,  in  Industry,  on  the  27th  of  June,  1863,  and  formed 
themselves  into  a  wool-growers'  association.  Their  object,  as 
set  forth  in  the  constitution,  was:  "That,  being  desirous  of  a 
better  understanding,  and,  for  the  better  protection  of  our  inter- 
ests do  unite  ourselves  into  a  society  for  that  purpose."  The 
qualifications  required  to  render  a  person  eligible  to  member- 
ship were,  that  they  should  own  a  flock  of  at  least  ten  sheep. 
This  society  was  double-officered,  i.  e.,  had  a  full  set  of  officers 
for  each  count)',  and  was  known  as  the  "  Somerset  and  Frank- 
lin County  Wool-Growers'  Association."  In  Franklin  County 
the  members  were  all  residents  of  Industry.  General  Nathan 
Goodridge  was  chosen  president,  and  Hiram  Manter,  secretary. 
David  Patterson  was  chosen  treasurer  and  agent,  and  Benjamin 
W.  Norton,  Sr.,  Gen.  Nathan  Goodridge  and  James  Elliott, 
directors.  George  Manter,  David  Patterson  and  Hiram  Manter 
were  elected  to  receive  and  sort  the  wool  of  the  Association. 
All  wool  was  required  to  be  well-washed,  and  each  member 
was  allowed  to  draw  from  the  treasury  a  sum  of  money  not 
exceeding  in  amount  two-thirds  of  the  estimated  value  of  his 
wool,  upon  the  same  being  deposited  with  the  agent.  The 
directors  were  authorized  to  hire  a  sufficient  sum  of  money  to 
meet  the  demands  of  individual  members,  and  the  treasurer 
was  required  to  give  bonds  to  the  amount  of  five  thousand 
dollars.  Among  the  more  prominent  members  were :  George 
W.  Luce,  Peter  B.  Smith,  Benjamin  W.  Norton,  Jr.,  Isaac  Dag- 
gett, John  T.  Daggett,  Joseph  W.  Smith,  Alonzo  Norton,  etc., 
etc.  The  wool  of  the  members  in  this  town  alone  amounted 
to  some  five  thousand  pounds.  Owing  to  the  disagreement  of 
the  members  in  regard  to  the  time  their  wool  should  be  sold, 
the  enterprise  was  abandoned.  The  opinion  of  able  men  was 
that,  had  it  continued,  it  would  have,  in  time,  become  an  effect- 
ual ally  of  the  wool-grower. 

The  call  of  Oct.  17,  1863,  for  300,000  men  to  serve  three 
years,  necessitated  a  special  town  meeting  to  raise  money  "  for 
war  purposes."  This  meeting  accordingly  assembled  Dec.  2, 
1863,  and  chose  Ira   Emery,  Jr.,  moderator.      It  was  then  voted 

40 


3  18  HISTORY   OF  INDUSTRY. 

to   pay  each    volunteer   enlisting   for   three   years,  the   sum    of 

$300,  until  the  town's  quota  of  eleven,  under  the  President's 
last  call,  shall  be  filled.  The  treasurer  was  also  authorized  and 
instructed  to  hire  money  for  that  purpose. 

It  was  about  this  time  (1863)  that  Congress  passed  its 
famous  stamp  act,  requiring  a  revenue  stamp  on  every  docu- 
ment, from  a  town  clerk's  certificate  of  marriage  intention  up  to 
a  warrant}'  dcc<.\.  Stamps  were  required  on  each  package  of 
friction-matches,  also  on  proprietary  medicines,  playing-cards, 
photographs,  tobacco,  cigars,  and,  in  brief,  nearly  ever)-  article 
to  which  a  stamp  could  be  affixed.*  A  two-dollar  stamp  was 
necessary  to  make  valid  the  title  to  a  farm  valued  at  $1000,  and 
the  person  who  sold  a  bunch  of  matches  without  a  one-cent 
stamp  affixed,  was  subject  to  a  heavy  penalty.  The  first  certi- 
ficate of  intended  marriage,  issued  in  Industry  after  the  passage 
of  the  stamp  act,  was  to  Alonzo  Norton.  This  document  was 
dated  Oct.  31,  1 863,  and  had  a  five-cent  revenue  stamp  affixed. 
An  excise  tax  was  also  assessed  on  carriages  and  harnesses. 
The  amount  assessed  on  a  wagon  and  harness  valued  at  fifty 
dollars  was  one  dollar,  and  in  the  same  ratio  on  those  of  higher 
value. 

l'he  seizure  of  the  "Chesapeake,"  Capt.  Willett,  a  screw- 
steamer  of  the  New  York  and  Portland  Line,  Dec.  13,  1863, 
was  a  feat  of  the  most  audacious  daring,  and  everywhere  caused 
great  excitement.  She  was  captured  when  off  Cape  Cod,  on 
her  passage  from  New  York  to  Portland,  by  Lieut.  John  Clib- 
bon  Braine  and  part}'.  She  was  subsequently  re-captured  De- 
cember 17th,  by  the  gunboat   Ella  and  Anna. 

Another  cause  of  great  anxiety  was  an  attempt  to  raid  towns 
on  the  eastern  border  of  Maine,  in  the  summer  of  1864,  by 
Confederates,  who  found  refuge  in  the  British  Provinces.  This 
created  a  widespread  alarm,  in  which  the  citizens  of  Industry 
largely  shared.      (  )n  Jul}'  [8th  a  detachment  of  three  men  from 


*  For  years  merchants  s<>ld  360  matches  fur  five  cents,  of  which  sum  three  cents 
went  id  the  I  .  S.  Government  for  stamps,  and  whenever  a  photographer  received  an 
order  fur  half  a  dozen  small  photographs  lie  must  needs  pay  eighteen  cents  for  the 
stamps  requited  by  law. 


EVENTS  FROM   i860  TO  1866.  319 

one  of  these  raiding  parties  boldly  entered  the  Calais  Bank, 
which  they  attempted  to  pillage  in  broad  daylight.  Their 
scheme  was  discovered  in  season  to  thwart  their  plans,  and 
they  were  promptly  arrested,  convicted  and  sent  to  State's 
prison. 

During  the  fall  of  1863  and  early  winter  of  1864,  re-enlist- 
ments in  the  field  became  very  numerous,  and  quite  a  number 
of  the  Industry  boys,  anxious  to  see  the  war  through,  re-enlisted 
and  were  granted  a  furlough  of  thirty  days.  While  at  home, 
and  shortly  before  their  return  to  the  front,  the  citizens  of 
West's  Mills  and  vicinity  tendered  them  a  banquet  at  John  Willis's 
hall,  on  Thursday,  March  17,  1864.  There  was  speaking  with 
other  exercises  at  the  church  in  the  forenoon,  of  which  the 
author  has  been  unable  to  procure  any  definite  description. 
The  spread  at  the  hall  was  of  the  most  unstinted  proportions 
and  the  viands  of  the  choicest  quality.  The  central  attraction 
at  the  feast  was  a  large  "  monument  cake,"  beautifully  frosted 
and  ornamented,  a  present  from  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Elbridge  H. 
Rackliff.*  Several  distinguished  guests  from  adjoining  towns 
were  present  on  the  occasion,  and  among  the  after-dinner  speak- 
ers were:  Leonard  Keith,  of  Farmington,  Rev.  Ira  Emery  and 
his  brother  Josiah,  of  Industry,  also  Nelson  C.  Luce  and  others. 
The  event  was  a  decided  success,  and  no  doubt  a  pleasant 
incident  in  the  lives  of  the  furloughcd  soldiers  present. 

Under  the  President's  call  of  July  18,  1864,  for  troops,  In- 
dustry's proportion  was  sixteen  men,  but  having  a  surplus  of 
nine  men  previously  furnished,  to  its  credit,  only  seven  were 
required.  Anxious  to  avoid  a  draft,  if  possible,  a  special  town 
meeting  was  called  at  the  Centre  Meeting-House,  August  23, 
1864,  and  Nelson  C.  Luce  was  called  to  preside.  The  meeting 
then  voted  to  offer  $500  to  any  who  would  enlist  for  one  year 
on  the  town's  quota  before  September  5th,  until  the  required 
number  be  reached.  Nathan  S.  Johnson  was  chosen  agent  to 
secure  enlistments  on   the  town's  quota,  and  voted  a  compensa- 


*  The  baking-tins  for  this  immense  cake  were  specially  made  for  the  purpose  by 
Mr.  Rackliff.  The  total  cost  of  the  cake  when  placed  on  the  table  was  not  far  from 
ten  dollars. 


320  HISTORY   OF  INDUSTRY. 

tion  of  twenty  dollars  for  each  soldier  mustered  in.*  The  meet- 
ing further  voted  to  pay  ^600  bounty  on  enlistments  for  three 
years.  The  selectmen  were  authorized  to  hire  money  to  pay 
these  bounties.  At  an  adjourned  session  of  the  same  meeting, 
the  bounty  for  one-year  enlistments  was  raised  to  $600.  Not- 
withstanding the  liberal  bounties  offered,  and  the  most  strenu- 
ous efforts  of  enlisting  officers,  a  deficiency  still  existed,  and 
on  Sept.  26,  [864,  a  draft  was  made  by  the  Provost  Marshal 
and  the  following  names  drawn:  Elbridge  II.  Rackliff,  George 
W.  Johnson,  Atwood  Morse  and  William  Cornforth,  Jr.  On  pre- 
senting themselves  before  the  examining  board,  Elbridge  H. 
Rackliff,  the  first  drawn,  was  accepted,  and  George  W.  Johnson 
exempted,  by  reason  of  physical  disability.  Atwood  Morse, 
the  third  person  drawn,  was  accepted,  which  made  up  the 
deficiency.  The  selectmen  paid  these  two  drafted  men  the 
same  bounty  as  the  town  had  voted  to  pay  for  enlistments. 
Their  authority  so  to  do  was  subsequently  questioned,  but  their 
doings  were  promptly  ratified  by  the  town  at  a  meeting  held 
at  the  Centre  Meeting-House,  Jan.  4,  1865.  As  a  draft  was 
impending,  the  same  meeting  voted  to  raise  $3500,  to  be  placed 
in  the  selectmen's  hands,  with  instructions  to  use  it  in  securing 
enlistments  on  the  most  favorable  terms  possible.  This  sum 
the  assessors  were  instructed  to  assess  immediately  and  place 
the  bills  in  the  collector's  hands.  They  were  also  instructed  to 
pay  $300  to  any  who  would  put  in  a  substitute  for  three  years 
to  count  on  the  town's  quota.  The  meeting  subsequently  voted 
at  an  adjourned  session,  to  add  $150  to  the  $300  previously 
offered   for  substitutes. 

Convinced  that  Industry's  quotas  were  too  large,  by  reason 
of  the  enrollment  of  persons  physically  disqualified  for  military 
duty,  the  selectmen  were   directed   to   employ  such  measures  as 


*  Mr.  [ohnson  was  a  very  successful  recruiting  officer,  as  the  following  enlistments 
copied  from  an  autographic  list  abundantly  proves:  Adriance  K.  Johnson,  Andrew  J. 
Spinney,  I  hen  Fish,  George  C.  Emery,  Reuel  II.  Rogers,  John  M.  Nash,  Nathan  ( ;. 
Dyer,  Albanus  I).  Quint,  William  S.  Burce,  Henry  S.  Maines,  George  II.  Butler,  John 
P.  Butler,  Addison  F.  Collins,  James  W.  Collins,  John  F.  Daggett,  Henry  G.  Mitchell, 
Samuel  Rackliff.  Dec.  II,  1863,  Mr.  Johnson  was  also  deputized  by  the  Provost 
Marshal  General  to  arrest  and  return  deserters,  procure  recruits,  etc. 


EV PINTS  FROM    i860    TO    1866.  32  I 

they  deemed  expedient  to  reduce  the  number  enrolled.  They 
were  further  instructed  to  take  men  to  Lewiston  for  examina- 
tion, at  the  town's  expense,  if  necessary.  Through  the  well- 
directed  efforts  of  these  gentlemen  many  names  were  stricken 
from  the  rolls.* 

About  the  first  of  July,  1864,  an  outbreak  of  small-pox 
occurred  near  West's  Mills,  in  the  town  of  Stark,  and  spread 
to  a  limited  extent  into  the  town  of  Industry.  Through 
ignorance  of  the  true  character  of  the  disease  at  first,  it  spread 
to  a  much  greater  extent  than  it  otherwise  would  have  done. 
There  were  some  ten  cases  in  both  towns,  but  fortunately  only 
one  death  occurred.  This  was  the  infant  daughter  of  Peter 
W.  Pinkham.  Other  cases  were,  Nellie  Ellis,  Betsey  Pinkham, 
Sally  Stevens,  T.  Gardner  Daggett,  J.  Warren  Smith,  Josephine 
S.  Viles,  Benjamin  Tibbets,  and  Silas  Daggett. 

The  suffering  and  want  incident  to  camp  life,  especially  dur- 
ing the  winter  season,  early  claimed  the  attention  of  friends  at 
home  and  many  packages,  containing  nice  warm  socks  and  mit- 
tens, were  sent  to  the  boys  through  the  U.  S.  mail,  while  boxes 
containing  provisions,  flannel  underclothing,  boots  and  other 
articles  of  comfort  and  convenience  were  not  unfrequently 
despatched  on  their  errands  of  good  cheer  to  the  brave  boys  in 
field  and  camp. 

At  times  the  anxiety  and  suspense  among  relatives  and 
friends,  as  they  watched  day  after  day  for  intelligence  of  dear 
ones  far  away,  was  terrible  to  endure.  And  when  at  length  after 
weary  days  of  watching  and  waiting,  the  sad  news  of  some  dear 
one's  death  was  received,  how  terribly  rended  were  the  heart- 
strings of  wives,  mothers,  sisters  and  friends  !  It  was  indeed  a 
terrible  ordeal  for  loving,  trusting  hearts. 

As  time  passed  on,  prices  became  greatly  inflated.  Gold 
was  at  a  premium  of  $1.50.  Wool  for  a  short  time  sold  at  one 
dollar  per  pound,  and  all  the  necessaries  of  life  were  proportion- 
ally high,  as  the  following  list  compiled  from  actual  sales  plainly 
shows  : 


*  This  year  (1864)  by  a  singular  coincidence  the  Republicans  in  Industry  polled 
94  votes  at  both  the  gubernatorial  and  presidential  elections. 


322  H/STOKV  OF  INDUSTRY. 

PRICE-CURREN1     OF    GOODS    "IX    WAR    TIMES,"    I  <S6 1     TO     1865. 

Flour  per  bbl.,  $iB  oo 

( \>rn  per  bushel,  2  00 

Molasses,  W.  1..  per  gal.,  i  oo 

Tea,  per  lb.,  i  50 

Salt,  per  box  of  20  lbs.,  50 

Sugar,  White,  per  lb.,  25 

Sheeting  (best  cotton),  per  yd.,  80 

Print,  per  yd.,  40 

Nails,  cut,  per  lb.,  12 

Salt  Pork,  per  lb.,  21 

Indigo,  per  oz.,  20 

Glass,  7x9,  per  light,  10 

Kerosene  oil,  per  gal.,  1  20 

Men's  boots,  (thick)  pair,  5  50 

The  drafted  men  of  1863  who  hired  substitutes,  for  many 
years  made  persistent  and  repeated  efforts  to  recover  from  the 
town  the  sum  such  substitutes  had  cost  them.  For  more  than 
half  a  dozen  different  times  the  town  was  asked  to  grant  this 
request,  and  on  one  occasion  those  who  had  paid  commutation 
money  joined  in  the  demand.  These  propositions  were  per- 
emptorily dismissed  without  action,  however,  and  only  ceased 
to  be  made  when  the  parties  removed  from  town. 

Although  large  sums  of  money  were  raised,  and  tempting 
bounties  offered  for  enlistments,  the  town's  quota  of  1865  re- 
mained unfilled,  and  again  a  draft  became  necessary.  Under 
the  President's  call  of  March  — ,  1865,  the  town's  deficiency  was 
nine  men.  To  secure  these,  sometime  during  the  month  of 
March,  1865,  eighteen  names  were  drawn  from  the  enrolled 
militia,  as  follows  : 

Augustus   II.  Swift.  Ira  Emery,  Jr. 

Wm,  M.  Bryant.  Win.  L.  Metcalf. 

Francis  R.  Merry.  John  S.  Fassett. 

John  Oilman.  Eli  N.  Rackliff. 

Ah  in  S.  (bay.  John  W.  Perkins. 

Win.  Cornforth,  Jr.  Caleb  W.  Gilmore. 

Daniel  Gilman.  Alonzo  Frost. 


EVENTS   FROM  i860  TO    1866.  323 

Warren  Cornforth.  Jeremy  Bean. 

Daniel  Brown.  Charles  H.  B.  True. 

The  drafted  men  were  never  mustered  into  the  service,  for 
on  the  9th  of  April,  1865,  Lee's  army  surrendered,  which  vir- 
tually brought  the  war  to  a  close.*  Great  was  the  rejoicing 
everywhere  at  the  cessation  of  hostilities.  Everyone's  cup  of 
joy  seemed  full  to  the  brim.  Day  after  day,  as  additional  and 
more  detailed  reports  of  the  closing-up  of  this  long  and  sanguin- 
ary struggle  were  received,  the  church  bell  at  West's  Mills  was 
rung,  and  in  other  ways  was  the  joy  of  the  people  manifested. f 

FLAG-RAISINGS  AT  ALLEN'S  AND  WEST'S  MILLS. 

The  long  and  bloody  war  was  near  its  close.  Already  the 
people,  who  had  long  and  anxiously  watched  while  the  destiny 
of  their  beloved  Union  seemed  poised  and  trembling  in  the  bal- 
ance, began  to  feel  that  buoyancy  of  spirit  which  is  but  the 
natural  reaction  of  the  mind  after  any  prolonged  period  of  deep 
suspense.  The  glad  tidings  spread  from  house  to  house,  and 
rejoicing  was  heard  on  every  hand.  An  event  of  so  great  mag- 
nitude must  necessarily  be  commemorated  by  some  public  dem- 
onstration. Consequently  the  citizens  of  Allen's  Mills  and 
vicinity  decided  to  raise  a  flag  in  honor  of  the  event.  A  paper 
was  drawn  up  and  subscriptions  solicited  by  Mary  G.  Luce, 
daughter  of  Moses  M.  Luce,  Esq.,  and  in  an  incredibly  short 
time  a  sum  sufficient  to  purchase  a  beautiful  banner  was  raised. 
While  awaiting  the  arrival  of  their  flag  from  Bath,  Maine, 
where  it  was  purchased,  a  large  number  of  men  and  boys  went 
to  the  point  of  land  extending  into  Clear  Water  Pond,  felled  a 
tree  suitable  for  a  staff,  and  triumphantly  dragged  it  across  the 
pond  on  the  ice  to  the  village,  where  it  was  erected   in  the  most 


*  The  voters  of  Industry  seem  to  have  had  a  premonition  that  the  war  was  near 
its  close,  for  on  the  clay  previous  to  Lee's  surrender  they  had  voted  to  pass  by  the 
article  whereby  money  was  to  be  raised  to  pay  drafted  men  and  hire  substitutes. 

t  At  Farmington  the  joy  was  turned  to  sadness  by  a  fatal  accident,  the  result  of 
bursting  a  cannon  while  engaged  in  firing  a  salute  in  honor  of  the  close  of  the  war. 
At  the  same  time  several  others  were  more  or  less  injured. 


;:]  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

commanding  locality  to  be  found.  At  10  o'clock  A.  M.,  on 
Friday,  April  14,  1S65,  the  new  banner  was  for  the  first  time 
hoisted  to  its  proud  position,  by  Misses  Alar)-  G.  Luce  and 
fosephine  Hinkley,  amid  the  loud  cheers  of  the  assembled 
multitude. 

Rev.  A.  R.  Plumer,  of  Industry,  then  delivered  an  able 
address,  after  which  a  procession  was  formed  which  marched 
to  a  large  hall  in  the  starch-factory,  where  a  sumptuous  repast 
had  been  prepared  by  the  ladies.  After  dinner,  toasts  were 
proposed,  and  responded  to  by  Gen.  Nathan  Goodridge,  Moses 
M.  Luce,  Esq.,  Isaac  Webster,  Edwin  A.  R.  Rackliff  and  others. 
The  exercises  were  enlivened  by  vocal  music  furnished  by  a 
choir  consisting  of  some  of  the  best  talent  in  Franklin  Count)', 
such  as  Charles  S.  and  Lizzie  (Allen)  Prince,  Orlando  T.  Good- 
ridge, Eliphalet   Miller  and  others. 

But  alas,  how  changed  the  scene  in  a  (cw  short  hours  ! 
How  strikingly  true  are  the  following  lines: 

"  'Tis  the  wink  of  an  eye,  'tis  the  draught  of  breath, 

From  the  blossom  <>f  health  to  the  paleness  of  death, 
From  the  gilded  saloon  to  the  bier  anil  the  shroud, 
(  ih,  why  should   the  spirit  of  mortal  be  proud?"* 

Hardly  had  those  who  participated  in  the  festivities  just 
mentioned,  returned  to  their  homes,  when  President  Lincoln 
received  his  death  wound,  at  the  hand  of  an  assassin.  The 
second  time  their  beautiful  flag  was  raised  it  was  placed  at 
half-mast,  and  draped  with  black,  in  honor  to  the  martyred 
President. 

Nearly  simultaneously  with  the  movement  at  Allen's  Mills, 
the  people  at  West's  Mills  made  preparation  for  the  erection  of 
a  fine  "liberty  pole."  This  pole,  which  was  of  pine,  was  con- 
structed on  the  most  modern  principles,  and  measured  seventy- 
two  feet  from  its  base  to  the  truck  of  the  top-mast.  It  was 
probably  raised  on  the  same  day  as  the  one  at  Allen's  Mills,  at 
which  time  a  large  concourse  of  people  assembled  at  the  village 


1  lie  poem  from  which  this  extract   is  made  was  a  great    favorite  with  President 
I  .incoln. 


EVENTS  FROM  i860  TO  1866.  325 

to  witness  and  assist  in  its  erection.*  The  raising  of  a  pole  of 
this  height  was  no  small  task,  and  notwithstanding  the  assistance 
of  the  many  willing  hands,  it  was  near  sunset  when  the  stars 
and  stripes  were  raised  to  their  lofty  position. 

Intelligence  of  the  assassination  and  death  of  President 
Lincoln  reached  West's  Mills  Saturday  evening,  April  15,  1865, 
and  all  day  Sunday  following,  flags  floated  at  half-mast  and  the 
solemn  tones  of  the  tolling  church-bell  were  heard.  Among 
all  classes,  irrespective  of  party  affiliations,  the  deepest  sorrow 
and  respect  for  the  martyred  President  was  manifested.  On 
the  day  of  his  burial,  memorial  services  were  held  in  the  Union 
Church  at  West's  Mills,  in  which  many  participated.  The 
address  was  delivered  by  Rev.  Charles  K.  Blake,  pastor  of  the 
Free  Will  Baptist  Church  in  Farmington.  The  house  was  well 
filled  and   the  exercises  solemn  and   impressive. 

The  close  of  the  war  afforded  the  citizens  of  Industry  an 
opportunity  to  take  a  retrospective  view  of  the  part  the  town 
had  taken  in  suppressing  the  rebellion.  This  view  was  not 
altogether  unpleasant.  With  a  population  of  827  in  i860,  the 
town  had  furnished  sixty-one  men  for  the  service  under  the 
various  calls.  These  had  invariably  merited  the  esteem  of  their 
superiors  by  patriotism  and  valor,  as  well  as  by  a  faithful  dis- 
charge of  their  soldierly  duties.  Fver  mindful  of  its  obligations 
to  these  brave  men,  the  town  had  always  been  liberal  in  its 
bounties  for  enlistments  and  also  made  generous  provisions  for 
the  soldiers'  families.  The  subjoined  table  shows  the  amount 
paid  in  bounties  to  soldiers,  under  the  various  calls  : 

To  3  years'  men  of  1862,  Si, 000  00 

9  months'  men  of  1S62.  I>95°  °° 

Volunteers  of  1863,  3,300  00 

"  1864  and  5,  10,800  00 

Drafted  men  entering  the  service,  1,200  00 

Am't  Contributed  by  individuals  toward  bounties,    481  00 

$18,731  00 


*  Since  the  above  was  written  it  has  been  definitely  learned  that  the  raising 
occurred  on  Friday,  April  14,  1S65.  Also  that  the  village  choir  was  present  on  that 
occasion,  and  rendered  several  appropriate  selections,  greatly  to  the  enjoyment  of  all 
present. 

41 


HISTORY  OF   INDUSTRY. 

Contributed  supplies  for  the  relief  of  soldiers,         950  00 
Aid  to  soldiers'  families,  2,682  49 


$22,363  49 


Though  reimbursed  for  aid  to  soldiers'  families  by  the  Slate, 
the  expense  of  enlisting  men,  paying  commutations  and  hiring 
substitutes,  must  have  swelled  the  expense  of  the  war  to  the 
citizens  of  Industry  to  fully  $25,000,  this  sum  being  nearly  one- 
seventh  of  its  valuation  in  1  S60. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

THE  TOYS  IX  BLUE. 

Francis  ( >.  Bean. — Nelson  (  >.  Bean. — George  W.  Boyden. — Charles  E.  Burce. — James 
( ).  Burce. —  John  C.  Burce. — William  S.  Burce. —  George  II.  Butler. — John  P. 
Butler. — Addison  II.  Chase. — Addison  F.Collins. — Daniel  S.  Collins. — James  W. 
Collins. — Daniel  A.  Conant. — John  F.  Daggett. — Hiram  I'.  Durrell. — William  II. 
Edwards. — John  1).  Elder. — Carlton  P.  Emery. — George  C.  Emery. — Zebulon  M. 
Emery. — Calvin  1!.  Fish. — Eben  Fish. —  Benjamin  Follett. — William  Q.  Folsom. 
— William  II.  Frost. — John  F.  Gerry. — Bradford  Gilmore. — Almore  Haskell. — 
John  M.  Howes. — Adriance  R.Johnson. — William  G.  Lewis. — Filield  A.  Luce. 
— John  T.  Luce — Henry  S.  Maines. — Gilbert  R.  Merry. —  Flias  Miller. —  Henry 
(I.  Mitchell.— Atwood  Morse.— John  M.  Nash— David  M.  Norton.— Oliver  D. 
Norton. —  lames  Pinkham. — Samuel  Pinkham. — Wellington  Pinkham. —  Wilder 
Pratt. — Charles  S.  Prince. — Albanus  D.  Quint. — William  L.  Quint. —  Edwin  A.  K. 
Rackliff.— Elbridge  II.  Rackliff.— John  0.  Rackliff.— Samuel  Rackliff.— William 
f.  Rackliff.  —  Keuel  H.  Rogers. —  Lyman  M.  Shorey. — Andrew  J.  Spinney. — John 
C.  Spinney. — Benjamin  Tibbetts. — Benjamin  F.  Tibbetts. — Clinton  B.  Webster. — 
David  C.  Whitney. — Aaron  L.  Williams. — George  F.  Williams. — 0.  L.  Young. 

FRANCIS  0.  BEAN. 

FRANCIS  O.  Bean,  son  of  John  C.  and  Olive  (Berry)  Bean, 
came  to  Industry  in  the  winter  of  1862  and  settled  on  the  Ad- 
dison H.  Chase  farm.  He  enlisted  with  others,  his  brother 
among  the  number,  the  following  summer,  as  a  member  of  the 
17th  Regiment,  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  mustered  into  the 
U.  S.  service  at  Portland,  August  14th,  and  assigned  to  Co.  G, 
Capt.  Edward  I.  Merrill.  Soon  after  going  South  he  was  de- 
tailed as  teamster  and  was  with  the  wagon  train  about  eighteen 
months.  After  this  he  was  at  the  division  headquarters  in  the 
mail  department.  Mr.  Bean  was  with  General  Burnside  during 
his  famous  mud  march,  and  reached  Gettysburg  with  the 
wagon  train  on  the  morning  following  the  last  day's  battle.      He 


328  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

continued    in    the    service    until    finally    mustered    out,   June   4, 
[865. 

NELS<  IN  l  I.  BEAN. 
Nelson  (  ).  Bean,  a  brother  of  the  forenamed  Francis,  had 
resided  in  Industry  for  sonic  years  prior  to  the  breaking  out  of 
the  Civil  War,  in  the  family  of  an  elder  brother.  He  enlisted  in 
the  17th  Maine  Regiment  and  was  mustered  into  the  U.  S. 
service  August  [8,  1862,  at  Portland,  and  assigned  to  Co. 
G.  They  left  Portland  for  Washington,  D.  C,  August  21st, 
where  they  remained  doing  garrison  duty  until  the  7th  of  Octo- 
ber. Mr.  Bean  participated  in  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg  on 
the  1  3th  of  December.  His  regiment  re-crossed  the  Rappahan- 
nock River  on  the  15th,  and  remained  encamped  at  Falmouth, 
Va.,  until  May  I,  1863.  The  regiment  was  also  present  at  the 
battle  of  Chancellorsville,  engaging  the  enemy  May  2d  and  3d. 
On  the  2d  day  of  July  they  arrived  at  Gettysburg  and  engaged 
the  enemy  on  that  and  the  following  day.  On  the  27th  of  No- 
vember Mr.  Bean's  regiment  took  a  prominent  part  in  the  battle 
of  "  Orange  Grove."  Returning  to  Brandy  Station  on  the  1st 
day  of  December,  the  regiment  remained  encamped  there  until 
the  25th  of  March,  1864.  He  also  took  an  active  part,  with  his 
regiment,  in  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  on  the  5 th  and  6th  of 
May.  From  this  time  to  the  21st  his  regiment  was  almost  con- 
tinually under  fire.  On  the  23rd  of  May  Mr.  Bean's  regiment 
joined  the  5th  Army  Corps  near  North  Anna  River  and  partici- 
pated in  a  charge  which  resulted  in  driving  the  enemy  across 
the  river  and  gaining  possession  of  the  bridge.  During  this 
charge,  when  near  the  river,  Mr.  Bean  was  wounded  in  the  left 
side  by  a  minnie  ball,  which  fractured  the  lower  rib  in  two 
places.  lie  was  sent  first  to  the  hospital  at  Washington,  1).  C, 
and  afterwards  to  Centre  Street  Hospital,  Newark,  New  Jersey. 
His  wound  was  of  an  extremely  painful  nature  and  very  slow 
to  heal.  After  a  time  he  was  removed  to  the  U.  S.  General 
Hospital  at  Augusta,  Maine,  where,  finding  that  the  aggra- 
vating nature  of  his  wound  would  incapacitate  him  for  active 
service  for  a  long  time,  he  was  discharged.  He  is  now  a  mill 
operative  and  resides  in  Suncook,  N.  H. 


THE  BOYS  IN  BLUE.  3-9 

GEORGE  W.  BOYDEN.* 

George  Wyatt  Boyden,  son  of  Asaph  and  Susan  (Butler) 
Boyden,  was  born  in  Industry,  April  10,  1833.  When  a 
young  man  he  went  to  the  State  of  New  Hampshire,  where  he 
married  and  was  living  when  the  war  broke  out.  Here  he  sub- 
sequently enlisted  as  a  member  of  Co.  F,  9th  N.  H.  Volunteer 
Infantry.  Near  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  enlistment,  he 
re-enlisted  and  faithfully  served  his  country  until  the  close  of 
the  war.  The  following  extracts  from  his  letters  give  the 
reader  some  vivid  pen  pictures  of  the  ups  and  downs  of  army 
life  : 

Fort  Alexander  Haves,  Va.,  Dec.  23,  1864. 
Dear  Father  and  Mother: 

The  box  you  sent  me  arrived  here  to-day,  after  being  twenty-three 
days  on  the  road.  Everything  in  it  was  good  and  in  good  order  except 
the  pie,  which  was  a  little  mouldy  on  the  under  side,  but  not  enough  to 
hurt  it  for  army  eating.  The  cake  is  first  rate,  as  good  as  I  ever  ate, 
so  are  the  doughnuts  and  dried  apple,  sausages  and  butter.  1  shall 
have  some  good  apple-sauce  as  soon  as  I  can  stew  the  apple,  bread, 
butter  and  apple-sauce  on  a  private  soldier's  plate  in  this  army,  well  I 
never  !  never!!  The  towel  was  very  acceptable,  and  I  will  try  and 
keep  it  as  long  as  I  can.  I  hardly  know  how  to  thank  you  for  your 
kindness  in  sending  me  so  much  good  food.  I  told  my  three  tent- 
mates,  when  the  box  came,  I  did  not  deserve  it  but  mother  would  no 
doubt  sleep  better  if  she  knew  I  had  received  it,  and  that  I  would 
write  as  soon  as  my  day's  work  was  done  and  let  her  know  it  had  come. 
You  can  hardly  conceive  the  satisfaction  of  us  poor  soldiers  when  we 
get  anything  from  home.  Men  who  would  take  no  notice  of  such 
matters  at  home  will  flock  around  and  say  :  "  Did  you  get  a  box?  Did 
you  get  a  box?"  I  tell  you  they  always  bring  with  them  memories 
sweet  of  "  childhood's  sunny  hours,"  of  a  time  when  we  had  no  fears  oi 
war  taking  us  away  from  the  homes  we  so  dearly  love.  My  boyhood 
home  and  its  scenes,  among  the  hills  of  Maine,  are  still  as  fresh  in  my 
memory  as  if  I  had  only  just  left  it,  but  time  tells  me  it  is  nearly  fifteen 
years.  "'Thus  with  the  year  seasons  return,"  and  each  brings  its  hopes 
and   tears,  its  joys  and  sorrows,  sunshine  and  shade.      I  had  a  pleasant 


*  Though  this  name  docs  nut  properly  belong  to  the  list  of  Industry  soldiers,  the 
writer  has  inserted  it  in  order  to  afford  his  readers  the  opportunity  of  perusing  some 
very  interesting  war  correspondence. 


330  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

home  till  this  war  took  me  away  from  it.  and  I  have  it  now — "  'tis  home 
where  the  heart  is."  but  the  pleasing  memories  are  all  of  the  past,  while 
the  present  is  only  made  bearable  by  the  good  wishes  and  kind  deeds 
of  friends  at  home,  sweet  home.  Still  having  faith  in  the  future 
because  of  my  good  luck  in  the  past,  1  hope  again  to  he  at  home  with 
wifi'.  hoy.  father,  mother,  sisters  and  brother,  and  remember  only  that 
which  is  pleasant  and  forget  that  a  bloody  war  ever  called  me  away. 
But  should  I  be  among  the  host  that  is  now  and  will  be  left  here,  only 
to  be  remembered  by  friends  at  home,  if  these  friends  can  truthfully 
say,  •'  He  has  done  his  duty  to  his  country,"  it  is  all  1  ask.  But  I  hope- 
to  live  to  see  this  rebellion  brought  to  an  end  at  no  very  distant  day. 
rhe  rebels  must  soon  give  it  up  entirely,  come  back  to  the  Union  they 
should  never  have  left,  and  by  good  behavior  in  the  future  atone  for 
their  sins  political  of  the  past,  so  that  we  may  sit  in  the  shade  of  the 
outstretched  arms  of  our  worthy  Uncle  Samuel,  and  sing  "  Hail  Colum- 
bia "  till  our  children  and  children's  children  are — are— are  old  enough 
to  sing  it  for  us.     "  So  mote  it  be" 

Although  the  soldier's  life  was  characterized  by  many  hard- 
ships, and  although  disease  and  death  were  constantly  thinning 
their  ranks,  yet,  amid  all  these  vicissitudes  of  war,  "the  boys" 
found  some  pleasantries — "Some  sugar  in  the  cane" — as  the 
following  anecdote  related  by  Mr.  Boyden  goes  to  prove:  "  At 
one  time  we  had  to  cut  a  great  deal  of  cord-wood,  and  com- 
panies were  detailed  for  that  purpose.  In  our  company  was 
one  James  Carlton,  who  had  won  the  sobriquet  of  '  Truthful 
Jeemes,'  as  he  was  the  soul  of  honor  and  did  not  look  like  a 
liar.  He  was  the  fastest  chopper  in  the  whole  army,  and  we 
often  tried  to  get  a  bet  up  on  the  amount  of  wood  he  could 
chop  in  a  day,  he  to  cut  the  trees,  cut,  split  and  pile  up  the 
wood.  With  all  our  persuasion  he  would  not  consent,  as  he 
would  not  be  a  party  to  any  gambling  scheme.  We  urged, 
argued  and  tried  to  persuade,  all  to  no  purpose,  except  to 
arouse  his  own  curiosity  as  to  how  much  wood  he  really  could 
cut.  To  put  the  matter  to  test  he  took  his  axe,  slipped  away 
out  of  camp  one  morning  when  we  were  off  duty,  ami  went  to 
chopping  by  himself.  lie  chopped  until  about  three  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon,  when  he  looked  around  and  decided  he  had  as 
much  cut  as  he  could   pile  before  sunset.      He   piled    it   up  and 


THE  BOYS  IN  BLUE.  331 

found  he  had  only  fifty-three  cords,  which,  lie  said,  disappointed 
him.  He  went  back  to  where  he  began  work  in  the  morning, 
and  following  up  his  work,  discovered  by  appearances,  that  his 
axe  must  have  flew  off  of  the  handle  about  eleven  o'clock  in 
the  forenoon  and  he  had  been  chopping  with  the  handle  the 
rest  of  the  day.  This  is  his  story  just  as  he  told  it  to  me,  and 
he  made  me  promise  not  to  add  anything  that  would  make  a 
lie  of  it.  He  also  expressed  much  regret  that  he  did  not  yet 
know  how  much  wood   he  could  cut   in  a  day." 

CHARLES  E.  BURCE. 
Charles  Edward  Burce,  son  of  Silas  and  Rachel  (Oliver) 
Burce,  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Co.  II,  14th  Maine  Regiment,  Vol- 
unteer Infantry,  and  was  mustered  into  the  U.  S.  service  Dec. 
14,  1 86 1.  Re-enlisted  Jan.  1,  1864.  Transferred  to  Co.  A, 
Battalion,  14th  Regiment,  Infantry.  Mustered  out  at  Darien, 
Ga.,  Aug.  28,  1865.  Resides  at  Porter's  Mills,  Wisconsin,  where 
he  is  engaged  in  farming. 

JAMES  o.  BURCE. 
James  Oliver  Burce,  son  of  Silas  and  Rachel  (Oliver)  Burce, 
enlisted  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years  as  a  private  in  Co.  H,  14th 
Maine  Regiment,  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  mustered  into  the 
U.  S.  service  Dec.  14,  1861.  Re-enlisted  Jan.  1,  1864.  Pro- 
moted to  musician.  Taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Cedar  Creek, 
Oct.  19,  1864.  Confined  in  Salisbury  and  other  rebel  prisons. 
Discharged  for  disability  July  8,  1865.  He  is  a  farmer  and  re- 
sides at  Porter's  Mills,  Eau  Claire  Co.,  Wisconsin. 

JOHN  C.  BURCE. 
Among  the  man)-  brave  men  who  served  their  country  faith- 
fully and  well,  in  the  war  between  the  States,  not  one  can  lax- 
claim  to  a  more  brilliant  and  honorable  record  than  he  whose 
name  stands  at  the  head  of  this  sketch.  Enlisting  near  the 
breaking  out  of  the  war,  he  gave  to  his  country  nearly  three  and 
one-half  of  the  best  years  of  his  life,  and  in  his  death  left  behind 
a  record  to  which  relatives  and  friends  alike  point  with  pride. 


3 3  1  HISTORY  (>/'  INDUSTRY. 

John  Calvin  Burce,  son  of  Silas  and  Rachel  (Oliver)  Burce, 
was  born  in  Stark,  Maine,  in  [834.  lie  first  enlisted  for  three 
months  as  a  member  of  the  3d  Regiment,  Maine  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, and  was  mustered  into  the  U.  S.  service  June  4,  1861,  as- 
signed to  Co.  F,  and  was  immediately  appointed  corporal.  On 
the  5 ih  the  regiment  left  Augusta  for  Washington,  D.  C,  and 
on  their  arrival  went  into  camp  on  Meridian  Hill.  Crossing  the 
Potomac  River  July  6th,  they  entered  Virginia  and  remained  in 
the  vicinity  of  Alexandria  until  the  15th  of  July,  when  Mr.  Burce 
was  discharged  for  re-enlistment  and  returned  to  Maine  on  a 
furlough.  On  the  22d  of  September,  1861,  he  was  mustered  in 
as  a  private  in  Co.  D,  9th  Regiment,  Maine  Veteran  Infantry. 
The  regiment  started  on  the  24th  for  Fortress  Monroe;  here 
the)-  joined  a  portion  of  General  Sherman's  expedition  for  the 
capture  of  Port  Royal,  S.  C.  The  expedition  sailed  from  Fortress 
Monroe  October  29th,  and  on  November  8th  landed  at  Hilton 
Head.  Remaining  in  that  vicinity  until  Feb.  21,  1862,  the  regi- 
ment formed  a  part  of  the  expedition  which  captured  Fernan- 
dina,  Fla.,  the  9th  Maine  being  the  first  regiment  to  land  from 
the  transports  on  the  occupation  of  the  town  by  the  Union 
forces. 

It  is  impossible  within  the  limits  of  this  brief  sketch  to  fol 
low  Mr.  Puree  through  his  long  and  honorable  career  as  a  soldier, 
or  even  mention  all  the  engagements  in  which  his  regiment  par- 
ticipated. Put  the  part  they  bore  in  the  capture  of  Morris 
Island  is  bright  on  history's  page,  as  well  as  their  determined 
bravery  at  Port  Wagner,  where,  in  an  assault,  the)-  only  retreated 
when  ordered  so  to  do,  after  other  regiments  had  fallen  back  and 
they  alone  confronted  the  enemy. 

In  December,  1863,  he  re-enlisted  and  was  mustered  into  the 
service  on  the  12th  day  of  that  month,  and  later  returned  to 
Maine  on  a  thirty-days'  furlough.  While  at  home  he  married 
(published  March  2,  1864)  Ada  II.  Andrews,  daughter  of  Levi 
and  Lydia  (Hurd)  Andrews  of  Anson. 

Returning  to  the  front  he  rejoined  his  regiment  on  the  28th 
of  March.  They  engaged  the  enemy  at  Walthall  Junction  May 
7th,  and  at  Dairy's  Bluff  on  the  17th  of  the  same  month.      The)' 


THE  BOYS  IN  BLUE.  333 

also  fought  the  enemy  at  Bermuda  Hundred  and  Cold  Harbor, 
and  likewise  participated  in  the  siege  of  Petersburg.  The 
following  October  he  was  taken  ill,  and  died  at  White  Hall  Hos- 
pital, Philadelphia,  Oct.  18,*  1864,  aged  30  years. 

WILLIAM  S.  BURCE. 

Willliam  Stacy  Puree,  son  of  Silas  and  Rachel  (Oliver) 
Burce,  enlisted  as  a  member  of  Co.  F,  14th  Regiment,  Maine 
Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  mustered  into  the  service  March 
30, f  1864.  Transferred  to  Co.  B,  June  18,  1864,  and  on  muster- 
ing out  the  original  members  he  was  assigned  to  the  14th 
Battalion,  Co.  C.  The  14th  Battalion  was  subsequently  increased 
to  a  full  regiment  by  the  addition  of  certain  companies  of 
unassigned  infantry.  Mustered  out  at  Darien,  Ga.,  Aug.  28, 
1865.      Mr.  Burce  was  in  Minnesota  at  last  accounts. 

GEORGE  II.  BUTLER. 

George  Halser  Butler,  son  of  Peter  W.  and  Mary  E.  (Rob- 
inson) Butler,  was  born  in  Industry  Jan.  6,  1833.  He  married, 
Jan.  21,  1858,  Catherine  Nichols,  daughter  of  Aholiab  and 
Elmeda  (Mcsser)  Nichols,  by  whom  he  had  three  children. 
Early  in  the  fall  of  1864  he  enlisted  for  one  year  in  the  first 
company  Unassigned  Infantry,  Capt.  Edward  S.  Butler.  He 
was  mustered  into  the  service  Sept.  16,  1864.  The  company 
immediately  after  its  organization  left  for  the  front,  and  was 
assigned  to  the  29th  Regiment  as  Co.  A.  Joining  the  regiment 
October  1 8th,  he  participated  in  the  battle  of  Cedar  Creek  on 
the  following  day.  During  this  engagement  he  received  a 
severe  bullet  wound  in  the  shoulder.  He  was  conveyed  to  the 
hospital  at  Winchester,  Va.,  where  he  died   Nov.  9,  1864. 

JOHN  r.  BUTLER. 

John  Perham  Butler,  also  a  son  of  Peter  W.  and  Mary  E 
(Robinson)  Butler,  enlisted   about    the   same   time   and    in   the 


*  Adjutant  ( ieneral's  Report.     A  headstone  erected  to  his  memory  in  the  cemetery 
near  West's  Mills  gives  the  date  October  23th 
t  Another  record  has  the  date  March  24th. 

42 


334  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

same  company  as  his  brother  George.  When  the  company 
went  South  he  was  left  sick  at  Augusta,  and  was  not  able  to 
join  his  regiment  for  some  time.  Nothing  is  definitely  known 
respecting  his  service  in  the  field,  lie  subsequently  learned 
the  trade  of  a  watchmaker  and  jeweler.  Died  of  consumption, 
in  Industry,  April  [6,  1S71,  aged  28  years  and  6  days. 

ADDISON"    H.   CHASE. 

Addison  Hayes  Chase,  son  of  Thomas  and  Phebe  (Hatha- 
way) Chase,  was  born  in  Livermore,  Maine,  April  4,  [826. 
His  father  was  a  soldier  in  the  18 12  War.  His  grandfather, 
also  named  Thomas,  was  a  gunner  on  board  the  "Alliance," 
and  participated  in  the  fight  with  the  English  "Serapis."  On 
the  1st  day  of  January,  I  850,  he  married  Harriet  C.  Bean, 
daughter  of  Jeremy  and  Miriam  (Currier)  Bean,  of  Jay,  and 
on  the  13th  of  April,  1855,  he  removed  with  his  family  to 
Industry  and  settled  Near  Tibbetts's  Corner  on  the  farm  now 
(1S92)  occupied  by  Arthur  W.  Hawes.  Here  he  was  living 
when  the  War  of  the  Rebellion  broke  out.  On  Dec.  2,  1861, 
he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Co.  E,  13th  Maine  Regiment,  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  and  was  mustered  into  the  service  at  Augusta, 
Me.,  Dec.  10,  1861.  His  company  left  Augusta,  Feb.  18,  1862, 
and  arrived  in  Boston  on  the  same  day.  Two  days  later  Mr. 
Chase  and  his  comrades  embarked  for  Ship  Island,  Miss.,  via 
Fortress  Monroe.  Owing  to  various  hindrances,  the  company 
did  not  reach  its  destination  till  March  20th.  He  remained  on 
the  Island  doing  camp,  guard  and  laborious  fatigue  duty  until 
Jul\-  1  ith,  when  they  left  the  Island,  made  a  brief  stop  at  New 
Orleans,  and  arrived  at  Fort  St.  Philip  on  the  15th.  Here  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  remained  until  he  sickened  and  died, 
Oct.  28,  1862,  aged   36  years,  6  months  and  24  days. 

ADDISON     F.   COLLINS. 

Addison  Franklin  Collins,  son  of  Eben  G.  and  Cordelia 
(Howes)  Collins,  was  born  in  Industry,  June  4,  1847.  At 
the  age  of  seventeen  years  he  enlisted  in  Co.  A,  29th  Regi- 
ment,   Volunteer    Infantry,    Capt.    Edward    S.    Butler,    and    was 


THE  BOYS  IN  BLUE.  335 

mustered  in  Sept.  1 6,  1864.  Going  South  with  his  company, 
he  participated  in  all  its  movements,  including  the  battle  of 
Cedar  Creek,  etc.  He  was  mustered  out  of  the  service  June  5, 
1865,  some  two  months  after  the  close  of  the  war.  Resides  in 
New  Sharon,  Me. 

DANIEL    S.  COLLINS. 

Daniel  Saunders  Collins,  son  of  Daniel,  Jr.,  and  Harriet 
(Knowlton)  Collins,  was  born  in  Industry,  April  23,  1834. 
When  about  fifteen  years  of  age,  he  went  to  live  with  a 
maternal  aunt  who  resided  in  Belfast,  Me  A  year  later  he 
entered  the  office  of  The  State  Signal,  a  newspaper  published 
in  that  city,  where  he  served  the  usual  apprenticeship,  and 
afterwards  worked  on  that  paper,  as  a  journeyman  printer,  some 
two  years.  He  next  worked  in  Bangor,  Me.,  and  also  in  Bos- 
ton for  a  short  time.  He  enlisted  under  the  President's  call  for 
men  to  serve  nine  months,  and  was  mustered  into  the  U.  S. 
service  Oct.  10,  1862,  as  a  private  in  Co.  B,  22d  Regiment, 
Volunteer  Infantry.  He  served  his  full  term  of  enlistment  and 
was  mustered  out  Aug.  14,  1863.  He  next  enlisted  as  a  private 
in  Co.  A,  State  Guards  Infantry,  to  serve  sixty  days.  He  was 
mustered  into  the  service  July  7,  1864,  and  stationed  at  Fort 
McClary,  in  Maine.  On  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  service, 
Sept.  8,  1864,  he  was  discharged  and  returned  to  his  native- 
town.  Shortly  after  this  he  again  enlisted  as  a  member  of  the 
1st  Maine  Regiment,  Sharpshooters,  then  being  organized,  and 
was  mustered  into  the  service  Nov.  28,  1864,  and  assigned  to 
Co.  E,  with  the  rank  of  corporal.  His  company  was  rendez- 
voused at  Camp  Coburn,  Augusta,  Me.  The  company  left 
Augusta,  for  Galloupe's  Island,  Dec.  7,  1864.  They  were 
ordered  from  thence  to  City  Point,  Va.,  Jan.  1,  1865,  and 
arrived  there  on  the  5th.  June  21st  Mr.  Collins's  Company  was 
consolidated  with  the  20th  Maine  Regiment,  Infantry,  where  he 
was  also  promoted  to  the  rank  of  corporal  in  Co.  E.  July  16, 
1865,  he  was  mustered  out  and  discharged,  at  Washington, 
D.  C,  and  immediately  returned  to  his  native  State.  He  died 
in  Middleborough,  Mass.,  Oct.  20,  1885. 


336  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

JAMES  W  .  <  <  »LLINS. 
James  Warren  Collins,  son  of  George  and  Mary  A.  (Nor- 
cross)  Collins,  was  horn  in  Industry,  Nov.  3,  1825.  On  the 
breaking  out  ol  the  war  he  was  living  on  a  small  farm  near 
Goodridge's  Corner  in  Industry.  He  enlisted  as  a  member  of 
Co.  A,  28th  Maine  Regiment,  Infantry,  and  was  mustered  into 
the  U.  S.  service  Sept.  16,  [864.  He  was  wounded  in  the  battle 
of  Cedar  Creek,  Oct.  19,  1864.  Discharged  in  1865.  He  died 
in  Brunswick,  Maine. 

DANIEL   A.  CONANT. 

Daniel  A.  Conant  was  a  resident  of  Temple,  Me.,  when  the 
war  broke  out.  He  enlisted  as  a  substitute  for  Samuel  H.  Nor- 
ton of  Industry,  and  consequently  counted  on  that  town's  quota. 
He  was  mustered  into  the  service  at  Portland,  Me.,  August  18, 
[862,  as  a  member  of  Co.  G,  17th  Maine  Regiment,  Volunteer 
Infantry.  Taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville,  Va. 
Exchanged.     Mustered  out  June  4,  1865. 

JOHN    F.  DAGGETT. 

John  bred  Daggett,  son  of  John  A.  and  «Cynthia  P.  (Fur- 
bush)  Daggett,  enlisted  for  one  year  in  the  first  Company  of 
Unassigned  Infantry,  Capt.  Edward  S.  Butler,  and  was  mustered 
into  the  U.  S.  service  Sept.  16,  1864,  at  Augusta,  Maine. 
Remaining  at  this  place  but  a  few  days  they  went  to  Portland, 
and  from  thence  to  Washington,  I).  C.  Here  the  company  en- 
camped one  night,  when  it  was  ordered  to  Harper's  Ferry,  Va. 
(  )n  their  way  thither  they  stopped  over  night  in  Philadelphia. 
Reaching  Winchester  they  went  into  camp  with  the  29th  Maine, 
acting  with  them  in  their  various  movements  until  Oct.  18, 
1864,  when  Company  A  was  discharged,  its  term  of  service 
having  expired,  and  Mr.  Daggett's  company  was  assigned  to  the 
regiment  to  till  the  vacancy.  Prior  to  this  date  Mr.  Daggett 
participated  in  the  engagement  of  Fisher's  Hill, — this  was  his  first 
experience  vi~  being  under  tire.  lie  took  an  active  part  in  the 
battle  of  Cedar  Creek,  October  19th,  his  company's  casualties 
being  twenty-six  in  killed,  wounded  and  missing.      On  the  even- 


THE  BOYS  IN  BLUE.  337 

ing  following  the  battle,  while  engaged  in  removing  the  wounded 
from  the  field,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  run  over  by  an 
empty  ambulance  wagon  driven  at  a  furious  speed;  by  this 
accident  he  was  forced  to  remain  in  the  hospital  five  weeks. 
Reported  to  his  company  while  it  was  stationed  at  Newtown,  and 
was  detailed  for  safe  guard  duty,  continuing  to  act  in  that  capacity 
for  nearly  a  month.  During  the  remainder  of  the  winter  Mr. 
Daggett's  company  was  engaged  in  special  service.  Breaking 
camp  at  their  winter  quarters  they  marched  down  the  Shen- 
andoah Valley,  and  while  waiting  for  orders  at  Winchester,  news 
of  the  fall  of  Richmond  reached  them.  From  this  date  to  June 
5,  1865,  they  were  engaged  in  various  light  guard  duties,  at 
which  time  the  company  was  mustered  out  of  the  service  and 
discharged  at  Washington,  D.  C.  Mr.  Daggett  resides  in  New 
Sharon,  Me.,  and  has  for  many  years  been  engaged  in  selling 
fruit  trees,  etc. 

HIRAM    P.    DURRELL.* 

Hiram  P.  Durrell,  son  of  John  G.  and  Hannah  (Parent) 
Durrell,  was  born  in  Hodgdon,  Me.,  June  23,  1832.  In  1849, 
when  seventeen  years  old,  he  came  to  Industry  and  for  a  time 
hired  with  Rufus  Jennings,  alternating  his  time  between  farming 
and  clerking  in  his  employer's  store.  He  married  (published 
Sept.  28,  1850)  Lucy  A.  W.  Brewster,  daughter  of  Daniel  W. 
and  Mercy  (Hanson)  Brewster  of  Carratunk,  Me.,  and  had  the 
following  children  born  in  Industry,  viz.:  Hiram  L.,  born 
April  24,  1 85 1  ;  died  in  Lawrence,  Mass.,  Sept.  12,  1878. 
Ellen  L.,  born  Sept.  12,  1853;  died,  in  Industry,  Aug.  28, 
1857.  Wesley  G.,  born  June  29,  1855.  Will  H.,  born  Dec. 
28,  1858,  married  Capitola  Daggett,  of  Industry.  Hattie 
Estmer,  born  May  11,  1861  ;  died  in  Lawrence,  Mass.,  Nov.  20, 
1880.  On  the  10th  day  of  September,  1862,  he  enlisted  as  a 
member  of  Co.  K,  24th  Regiment,  Maine  Infantry,  and  was 
mustered  into  the  service  at  Augusta  on  the  13th  of  the  follow- 
ing month.  While  the  company  was  stationed  at  East  New 
York,  Mr.  Durrell  had  the  misfortune  to  break  his  ankle  and  was 


*This  name  appears  among  the  intentions  of  marriage  as  Hiram  D.  P.  Durrell. 


5  5  8  HISTt  )R ) "  ( >/■    INDl  rSTR  Y. 

discharged  Dec.  ii,  [862.  He  now  resides  in  Freeman,  Me., 
where  he  is  engaged  in  farming.  I  lis  wife,  born  in  Carratunk, 
Me.,  July  3,  [832,  died  in  Boston  June  4,  1879,  and  he  has 
since  re-married.* 

WILLIAM    II.   EDWARDS. 

William  Harvey  Edwards,  son  of  Bryce  S.  and  Abigail 
(Flood)  Edwards,  was  born  in  Industry,  Nov.  28,  1842.  He 
was  brought  up  as  a  farmer's  son.  He  enlisted  as  a  private  in 
the  24th  Maine  Regiment,  Infantry,  Sept.  2,  1862,  and  on  the 
10th  day  of  the  same  month  was  mustered  into  the  service 
and  assigned  to  Co.  H.  Dec.  31,  1862,  he  was  promoted  to 
First  Sergeant,  in  which  capacity  he  served  until  June  13, 
1863  ;  promoted  to  Second  Lieutenant,!  while  at  Port  Hudson, 
Louisiana;  mustered  out  at  Augusta,  Me.,  by  reason  of  expira- 
tion of  his  term  of  enlistment,  Aug.  25,  1863.  He  is  now  a 
physician  and  resides  in  Houtzdale,  Penn. 

JOHN    D.  ELDER. 

John  Daggett  Elder,  son  of  Isaac  and  Sally  (Daggett) 
Elder,  was  born  in  New  Vineyard,  Me.,  Nov.  10,  1842.  Studi- 
ously inclined,  he  acquired  during  his  youth  a  good  education, 
considering  his  advantages.  In  February,  1862,  he  enlisted  as 
a  recruit  for  the  9th  Maine  Regiment,  and  was  mustered  into 
the  U.  S.  service  March  3d,  and  assigned  to  Co.  I.  He 
remained  at  Augusta,  Me.,  until  May  23d,  when,  with  others, 
lie  took  the  cars  for  Boston.  On  their  arrival  at  that  place  the 
ladies  had  an  excellent  supper  in  waiting  for  them,  after  which, 
they  continued  their  journey  to  New  York,  where  they  arrived 
at  five  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  24th,  having  been  twenty- 
four   hours  on   the  way  from  Augusta.      After  a  few  days  spent 


Nathan  <;.  Dyer,  of  the  19th  Company,  Lnassigned  Infantry,  who  enlisted  and 
was  mustered  into  the  I  .  S,  service  at  Augusta,  Me.,  March  21,  1865,  was  undoubtedly 
an  Industry  recruit  (see  note, p. 320)  although  credited  to  the  town  of  Bradford  in  the 
Adjutant  General's  Report.  In  consequence  of  the  close  of  the  war,  Mr.  Dyer  never 
Kit  Augusta,  hut  was  mustered  out  May  23,  1865,  and  soon  after  discharged, 
t  Adjutant  General's  Report  says,  July  23,  1863. 


IM^/tasz^^^1 


VSO&L^J&ZO 


Engraved  by  Geo.  E.Johnson,  Boston. 
From  a  photograph  made  in  1SS7. 


THE  BOYS  IN  J! IMF,.  339 

in  New  York,  Mr.  Elder  with  his  comrades  embarked  on  board 
a  transport  for  Hilton  Head,  S.  C,  where  they  arrived  on  the 
8th  of  June.  During  this  voyage  Mr.  Elder  suffered  severely 
from  sea-sickness.  On  the  following  clay  they  embarked  for 
Fernandina,  Florida,  where  they  arrived  June  15,  1862.  In  a 
letter  to  his  father  dated  July  18,  1862,  he  says: 

"  I  was  on  guard  last  night  and  the  mosquitoes  were  as  thick  as  you 
ever  saw  them,  and  they  were  nearly  as  large  as  wasps.  The  rebels 
came  in  with  a  Hag  of  truce  yesterday,  and  told  us  that  General  Mc- 
Clellan  had  been  whipped  before  Richmond  and  that  General  Fre- 
mont's army  had  been  all  cut  up  ;  and  gave  us  three  days  to  leave 
the  Island, —  but  they  have  got  to  come  and  take  it  before  we  shall 
leave.  Last  night  we  got  news  from  New  York  that  Richmond  was 
taken.  The  company  to  which  I  belong  is  called  the  Bangor  Tigers. 
The  average  weight  of  the  men  is  1S0  pounds  ;  average  height  5  feet  1  1 
inches." 

In  speaking  of  the  fight  of  James  Island,  before  Charleston, 
he  wrote : 

"It  was  a  shocking  sight,  after  a  battle,  to  see  five  hundred  poor 
fellows  wounded  and  mangled  in  every  conceivable  manner,  as  I 
did.  Provisions  are  very  high  here  ;  butter  is  worth  fifty  cents  per 
pound  ;  cheese,  25  cents  ;  molasses  one  dollar  and  fifty  cents  a  gallon, 
and   tobacco  one  dollar  and   fifty  cents  per  pound." 

During  the  summer  the  duties  of  the  soldiers  were  very 
light.  They  were  required  to  keep  their  equipments  in  order, 
and  drill  four  hours  a  da)',  with  an  occasional  turn  on  guard. 
Many  families  fled  from  their  homes  when  the  Union  forces 
occupied  the  place,  and  in  these  the  soldiers  were  quartered 
instead  of  in  the  usual  tents  or  barracks.  In  a  letter  dated  at 
Fernandina,  Florida,  Sept.  25,  1862,  he  wrote: 

"  We  have  had  one  fight  since  my  last  letter  was  written.  The  ( 'olonel 
sent  our  company  and  about  twenty  men  from  Co.  A,  up  about  twenty- 
five  miles  into  Georgia,  to  capture  a  band  of  guerrillas.  We  went  in 
boats  and  arrived  at  our  destination  about  three  o'clock  in  the  morning. 
Landing  as  still  as  we  could,  we  crept  up  to  surround  the  house  in 
which   the   uuerrillas  were  rendezvoused.     When  we  were  within  a  lew 


340  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

rods  o(  the  house  their  dogs  gave  the  alarm  and  they  commenced  to 
fire  on  us  with  their  double-barrelled  shot-guns,  loaded  with  buck-shot, 
and  we  replied  with  ounce  slugs  from  our  rifled  muskets.  Finding  that 
we  were  making  it  too  warm  for  them,  they  ran,  leaving  four  of  their 
comrades  dead,  five  wounded  and  two  made  prisoners.  Besides  the 
prisoners,  we  captured  a  large  number  of  Sharpe's  rifles  and  revolvers. 
(  >ne  of  the  best  men  in  our  company  was  killed.  I  am  afraid  it  will  be 
hard  work  to  conquer  the  South,  for  they  light  just  as  our  forefathers 
did    in   the    Revolution." 

Five  days  later  he  writes  : 

"We  went  down  to  Pine  Island,  yesterday,  in  the  steamer'  Darlington,' 
which  ran  on  to  a  sand-bar,  and  we  had  to  keep  the  pumps  going  all 
night  to  keep  from  sinking,  but  at  last  we  got  her  off  and  got  back. 
1  have  got  one  of  the  nicest  sih  er-mounted  double-barrelled  shot-guns, 
which  I  captured  from  a  rebel,  that  you  ever  saw.  He  said  it  cost  him 
sixty  dollars,  and  I  had  to  threaten  to  shoot  him  before  I  got  it.  I 
will  send  father  a  piece  of  the  telegraph  wire  which  ran  under  water 
from  Savannah  to  fort  Pulaski.*  When  the  Union  forces  captured 
the  fort  they  took  up  as  much  of  the  wire  as  they  could  without  ex- 
posing themselves  to  the  rebels." 

Writing  from  the  same  place  (Fernandina,  Fla.)  on  the  10th 
of  November,  1862,  Mr.  Elder  says: 

"We  have  had  quite  a  fight.  Two  companies,  A  and  I.  with  a  gun 
boat,  went  up  and  took  St.  Mary's  and  burned  the  place  to  ashes.  I 
went  on  shore  with  the  captain  to  get  some  furniture.  I  got  about 
eighty  dollars' worth,  nice  for  my  own  quarters,  besides  a  piano  worth 
five  or  six  hundred  dollars,  for  the  captain,  and  a  looking-glass  six  feet 
tall  by  four  wide  for  the  colonel.  William  W.  bunt,  a  deserter  from 
our  company,  has  been  returned  and  will  be  shot  on  the  first  day  of 
December.  This  is  the  second  person  who  has  been  executed  for 
desertion  since  the  war  begun." 

From  an  account  of  the  execution  sent  his  parents,  we  give 
the  following  extract: 

"The  condemned  man's  real  name  was  Albert,  though  it  appears  on 
the  muster   rolls  as  William.      He  was    nearly  22    years  of  age,  and    was 

"This  wire,  or  rather  cable,  consisted  "f  a  single  line  copper  wire,  insulated  in  a 
resinous  substance.      In  size  il  was  about  as  large  as  an  ordinary  pipe-stem. 


THE  BOYS  IN  BLUE.  34 1 

born  in  Hampden,  Maine,  of  respectable  parents.  In  early  youth  he 
became  restive  under  parental  restraint,  and  ran  off  with  a  circus  com- 
pany, with  which  he  continued  some  six  years.  He  was  of  remarkable 
physique,  being  more  than  six  feet  in  height  and  of  a  frame  propor- 
tionally large  and  muscular.  At  half-past  ten  o'clock  the  prisoner  was 
brought  from  his  tent,  and  approached  the  wagon  between  a  guard  of 
two  men,  with  side  arms.  He  was  habited  in  the  usual  blue  army  over- 
coat and  wore  a  black  felt  hat.  He  still  retained  his  almost  stoical 
firmness  of  manner  ;  not  a  muscle  of  his  features  moved,  nor  a  limb 
trembled,  as  he  entered  the  wagon  and  seated  himself  on  the  coffin  so 
soon  to  contain  his  mortal  remains.  The  wagon  was  guarded  by  the 
squad  of  men  who  were  selected  as  the  firing  party,  under  Captain  Eddy, 
and  was  preceded  by  an  escort  of  forty  men  from  the  47th  New  York 
Volunteers.  Chaplains  Butts  of  the  47th  New  York  and  Hill  of  the 
3d  New  Hampshire,  who  acted  as  his  spiritual  attendants,  followed  im- 
mediately in  the  rear — together  with  those  of  the  medical  department  who 
were  to  assist  in  the  proceedings,  all  mounted.  The  solemn  procession 
moved  forward  to  the  sound  of  muffled  drums — the  escort  with  shoul- 
dered arms  and  the  guard  with  arms  reversed.  Nothing  was  neglected 
which  could  add  to  the  solemnity  of  the  occasion.  Throughout  the 
march  the  prisoner  sat  upon  his  coffin,  almost  without  motion,  his  head 
resting  upon  his  hand — no  moisture  on  his  brow,  no  tear  bedewed  his 
cheek,  his  whole  manner  betokened  perfect  calmness  and  resignation. 
The  spot  selected  for  the  scene  of  the  execution  was  without  the  en- 
trenchments and  opposite  the  southern  sallyport.  Here  the  entire 
regiments  of  the  command  were  drawn  up  to  witness  the  tragic  scene, 
formed  in  three  sides  of  a  hollow  square.  Near  the  centre  of  the 
square  was  stationed  General  Terry  and  his  staff,  with  several  promi- 
nent officers.  The  procession  halted  directly  opposite  the  general  and 
his  staff,  and  the  condemned  man  alighted  without  assistance.  The 
coffin  was  taken  out  and  placed  beside  him,  and  his  sentence  was  then 
read  to  him  in  a  clear  and  distinct  voice  by  Lieutenant  Gallaer,  Adju- 
tant of  the  Provost  Marshal's  force,  to  which  he  listened  without 
manifesting  the  slightest  emotion.  After  the  reading  of  the  sentence, 
Major  Van  Brunt  addressed  a  few  words  to  him  to  the  effect  that  his 
sentence  was  about  to  be  carried  out,  and  if  he  desired  to  make  any 
remarks  he  was  at  liberty  to  do  so.  At  the  invitation  the  prisoner  arose 
and  in  a  calm  voice  said  :  'Fellow  soldiers,  I  want  you  to  take  warning 
by  me  and  seek  salvation  from  the  Lord  before  it  is  too  late.  I  am  not 
guilty  of  the  crime  for  which  I  have  been  condemned  to  death.' 

"  Having  made  these  few  remarks  he  was  divested  of  his  outer  cloth- 

43 


342  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

ing,  and  in  his  shirt  sleeves,  required  to  kneel  upon  his  coffin.  In  this 
position  his  (.-yes  were  bandaged  with  a  white  cloth,  and  the  squad  of 
twelve  men  were  silently  motioned  to  take  their  position  directly  in 
front  of  him  at  twenty  paces  distance,  at  the  same  time  preparing  to 
aim.  Everything  was  now  ready,  and  Chaplains  Butts  and  Hall  both 
went  to  the  prisoner  to  receive  his  parting  words.  He  expressed  him- 
self as  perfectly  resinned  to  his  fate  and  ready  and  willing  to  die.  The 
chaplains  having  retired,  Major  Van  Brunl  shook  the  prisoner  by  the 
hand  and.  after  bidding  him  farewell,  stepped  a  few  paces  hack,  and 
with  a  wave  of  his  handkerchief,  announced  that  the  fatal  moment  had 
come.  With  a  motion  of  his  sword  Captain  Eddy  commanded  his  men 
to  the  position  of  'Ready,  aim,'  and  instantly  uttering  the  word  'fire.' 
there  followed  a  Hash  and  loud  report,  and  at  the  same  moment  the 
wretched  man  fell  forward,  pierced  with  nine  halls.  One  cap  exploded 
and  the  piece  missed  fire  ;  one  shot  failed  to  take  effect,  and  tin- 
twelfth  musket  contained  a  blank  cartridge.  Thus  ended  the  second 
execution  of  the  kind  which  has  taken  place  in  our  army  since  the  com- 
mencement of  the  war." 

On  the  17th  of  January,  1863,  the  regiment  returned  to 
Hilton  Head,  S.  C.  Soon  after  this  Mr.  Elder  was  detailed  as 
hospital  nurse,  in  the  General  Hospital  at  that  place.  Speak- 
ing of  the  bombardment  of  Charleston,  to  which  he  was  an  eye- 
witness, after  his  return  to  Hilton  Head,  he  says:  "  It  was  the 
most  terrific  cannonading"  I  ever  witnessed.  It  was  one  con- 
tinuous sheet  of  flame  from  Fort  Moultrie  and  Batten-  Bee." 
He  continued  as  hospital  nurse  until  the  month  of  May,  when 
he  was  stricken  with  fever  and  ague  and  afterward  with  typhoid 
fever,  which  resulted  in  his  death  June  5,  1863.  Mr.  Elder 
was  a  young  man  of  good  habits,  a  dutiful  son  and  a  brave 
soldier.  His  conduct  while  in  the  arm}-,  won  both  the  respect 
of  his  comrades  and  esteem  of  his  superiors,  and  his  early 
death  was  mourned  by  a  large  circle  of  friends  and  acquaint- 
ances. 

CARLT(  >N    I'.  EMERY. 
Carlton  Parker  Emery,  son  of  Josiah  and  Hannah  C.  (Man- 
ter)    Emery,  was  born   in    New   Vineyard,    Ale.,  Feb.    13,    1844. 
Enlisted    as    a    recruit    for    Co.   L,    1st    Maine   Regiment,  Cav- 
alry, and  was  mustered  into  the  service  Dec.  28,  1 863.     Promoted 


THE  BOYS  IN  BLUE.  343 

to  sergeant  near  the  close  of  his  term  of  service.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  i,  [865.  He  was  subsequently  killed  in  a  billiard 
saloon  in  one  of  the  Western  States. 

GEORGE  C.  EMERY. 

George  Cornforth  Emery,  brother  of  the  foregoing,  was  born 
in  New  Vineyard,  Me.,  December  23,  1848.  At  the  age  of  fif- 
teen he  enlisted  as  a  recruit  for  Co.  L,  1st  Maine  Regiment, 
Cavalry,  and  was  mustered  into  the  service  Dec.  26,  1863. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  1,  1865. 

ZEBULON    M.  EMERY. 

Zebulon  Manter  Emery,  son  of  Josiah  and  Hannah  C.  (Man- 
ter)  Emery,  was  born  in  New  Vineyard,  Dec.  20,*  1838.  Though 
a  native  of  New  Vineyard  he  had  for  some  years  prior  to  the 
war  been  a  resident  of  Industry.  He  enlisted  in  the  fall  of  1861 
as  a  member  of  Co.  L,  1st  Maine  Regiment,  Cavalry,  and 
was  mustered  into  the  service  at  Augusta,  Me.,  Nov.  1,  1861, 
and  immediately  appointed  corporal.  He  was  discharged  for 
disability  Feb.  1  1,  1862,  before  the  regiment  left  Augusta.  He 
subsequently  married,  Nov.  — ,  1862,  Ann  H.  Johnson,  daughter 
of  Henry  and  Catherine  (Sullivan)  Johnson  of  Industry,  and 
soon  after  went  to  the  newly-settled  Territory  of  Nebraska  and 
engaged  in  stage-coaching.  Illustrative  of  his  coolness  and 
bravery  the  following  anecdote  is  related  in  the  "  History  of 
Nebraska :" 

This  young  man  was  one  of  the  most  fearless,  kind-hearted  and  gen- 
erous young  men  that  ever  braved  the  dangers  of  frontier  life.  In  1864 
he  was  stage-driver  along  the  St.  Joe  and  Denver  route.  In  August  of 
that  year  occurred  the  great  Indian  raid,  when  so  many  settlers  lost  al! 
their  property  and  a  great  many  their  lives.  There  were  nine  in  his 
coach,  seven  gentlemen  and  two  ladies.  Although  exceedingly  danger- 
ous, he  offered  to  drive  to  Liberty  farm,  where  his  brother,  Calvin  N. 
Emery,  lived.  The  morning  of  August  9th.  1S64,  was  a  most  delightful 
one.  The  sky  was  clear,  and  a  cool  breeze  came  from  the  Northwest. 
The  coach  left  the  station  of  Big  Sandy,  with  its  freight  of  human  lives, 


*  December  10,  New  Vineyard  Town  Records. 


344  HISTORY  OF  TNDUSTRY. 

drawn  by  four  large  and  mettled  steeds,  in  which  the  driver  had  un- 
bounded confidence  and  over  them  perfect  control.  The  journey  was 
without  a<  cident  or  unusual  incident  until  about  eleven  o'cock  ;  up  to 
that  time  no  signs  of  Indians  had  been  seen,  but  just  as  the  lead  horses 
had  passed  over  the  hill  and  on  a  spur  that  led  into  the  "bottom  land" 
or  valley,  (this  was  narrow  and  bordered  on  either  side  by  deep  ravines 
worn  by  die  water)  just  as  the  coach  had  commenced  the  descent  the 
driver  discovered  a  band  of  Indians  about  thirty  rods  in  advance,  lie 
wheeled  his  horses  in  an  instant  (two  rods  further  on  he  could  not  have 
accomplished  the  turning)  and  laying  the  whip  to  their  backs  he  com- 
menced an  impetuous  retreat.  The  passengers  were  terrified  and  were 
at  once  all  on  their  feet.  Emery  said.  "  if  you  value  your  lives  for  God's 
sake  keep  your  scat-*,  or  we  are  lost."  The  Indians,  about  fifty  in  num- 
ber, gave  chase  with  their  terrifying  yell,  and  for  about  three  miles,  whi<  h 
were  accomplished  in  about  twelve  minutes,  pursued  and  pursuers  made 
the  most  desperate  efforts  at  speed.  The  savage  yells  of  those  blood 
thirsty  villains  and  the  wails  of  despair  of  the  men  and  women  in  the 
coach  are  past  the  power  of  pen  to  describe.  Hut  to  die  glory  of  the 
driver,  lie  it  said,  he  was  the  only  steady-nerved  and  unexcited  person 
in  this  memorable  chase.  The  coach  bristled  with  arrows  "like  quills 
upon  the  fretful  porcupine."  They  grazed  young  Emery  on  every  side, 
but  the  young  man  heeded  nothing  but  his  driving.  There  were  two 
points  at  which  all  would  have  been  lost  but  for  the  driver's  wonderful 
presence  of  mind.  These  were  two  abrupt  turns  in  the  road,  where  the 
coach  would  have  been  thrown  over,  had  he  not  brought  the  team  to  a 
halt  and  turned  with  care.  But  this  he  did,  greatly  to  the  dismay  of 
some  of  the  passengers  who  saw  escape  only  in  speed.  Hut  their  sub- 
sequent praise  of  his  conduct  was  as  great  as  his  courage  had  been  cool 
and  calculating. 

George  Constable,  who  was  conducting  an  ox-team  over  the  route, 
saw  the  coach  about  a  mile  ahead  and  at  once  corralled  his  twenty-five 
wagons.  The  brave  driver  drove  his  nine  passengers  into  their  shelter 
in  safety.  Words  could  not  express  the  gratitude  felt  by  the  passengers 
to  their  hero  and  deliverer.  In  the  delirium  of  their  delight  they  em 
braced  and  kissed  him,  and  thanked  God  that  he  held  the  lines,  and  that 
they  were  in  a  position  where  the)-  could  not  interfere.  And  the  noble 
steeds  were  not  forgotten  ;  the  passengers  patted  them  and  cast  their 
arms  about  their  necks  with  feelings  of  grateful  emotion.  This  memor- 
able drive  would  never  be  forgotten  if  not  recorded  here;  for  the  story 
would  be  handed  down  to  posterity  by  the  survivors  of  the  saved. 

The  hero  of  that  day's  chase  won  not  his  best  laurels  in  that  hour, 


THE  BOYS  IN  BLUE.  U5 

for  wherever  he  was  known  his  gentle  manners  and  kind  deeds  won  for 
him  a  welcome  in  every  home,  and  wheresoever  known,  there  were  his 
praises  heard.  Devoid  of  boastful  pretense,  he  wore  meekly  his  well- 
deserved  honors — silently  carried  a  hero's  heart.  His  health  was  frail, 
and  in  about  one  year  from  that,  day  he  was  prostrated  with  fever,  and 
while  on  his  death-bed,  yet  still  conscious,  Mrs.  Randolph,  one  of  the 
number  he  had  saved  from  a  horrible  death,  placed  upon  his  linger  a 
beautiful  ring  on  which  was  engraved  the  following  :  "  E.  Umphey, 
G.  E.  Randolph  and  Hattie  P.  Randolph,  to  Z.  M.  Emery,  in  acknowl- 
edgement of  what  we  owe  to  his  cool  conduct  on  Tuesday,  Aug.  9, 
1864."  Oh,  how  this  must  have  eased  his  pillow  of  pain,  for  soon  after 
this  he  passed  away  from  these  scenes  of  warfare  to  the  silent  and 
peaceful  realm  of  the  dead.  The  doctor  who  attended  him  in  his  last 
hours  eulogized  him  as  a  silent  hero  and  as,  all  in  all,  one  of  the  noblest 
of  mankind — God's  nobleman. 

CALVIN    P..    FISH. 

Calvin  Bryant  Fish,  son  of  Elisha  and  Mary  (Robinson) 
Fish,  enlisted  as  a  member  of  Co.  G.,  9th  Maine  Regi- 
ment, in  September,  1861,  and  was  mustered  into  the  U.  S. 
service  on  the  22d  of  that  month.  Two  days  later  the  regi- 
ment left  Augusta  and  reached  Fortress  Monroe  in  season  to 
join  General  Sherman's  expedition  for  the  capture  of  Port 
Royal,  S.  C.  Writing  home  from  this  place,  October  13th,  he 
says:  "We  were  on  the  boat  twenty  days  and  in  the  steerage  at 
that."  Their  rations  during  this  time  were  scant  in  quantity  and 
poor  in  quality.  When  off  Cape  Hatteras  the  fleet  experienced 
rough  weather  and  some  of  the  vessels  were  badly  damaged. 
In  the  gulf  stream  they  encountered  a  storm  which  lasted  for 
eighteen  hours,  during  which  two  of  their  fleet  was  lost.  Mr. 
Fish  and  his  comrades  were  in  an  unseaworthy  craft,  which, 
although  it  got  badly  racked,  carried  them  safely  through  the 
storm.  As  the  fleet  neared  Port  Royal,  five  rebel  gunboats 
opened  fire  on  the  fleet  but  were  soon  driven  back  to  the  pro- 
tection of  the  guns  of  the  land  batteries.  Two  days  later,  after 
five  hours  of  bombardment,  in  which  the  whole  fleet  of  forty- 
six  vessels  participated,  the  troops  landed  and  took  possession 


$46  HISTt >R ) '  OF  IND L  TS I R J '. 

of  the  place.*  Here  Mr.  Fish  remained  for  some  time  and 
assisted  in  building  the  fortifications  and  government  store- 
houses at  that  place.  From  Hilton  Head  he  went  to  Warsaw 
Island,  Feb.  7,  [862,  and  on  the  21st  joined  in  the  expe- 
dition for  the  capture  of  Fernandina,  Florida,  where  he 
remained  for  ten  months  after  the  fall  of  that  place.  Writing 
home  of  his  experiences  on  the  sea,  he  says:  "When  yon  have 
been  put  in  the  hold  of  a  steamer  in  company  with  a  thousand 
soldiers,  with  the  mud  half  way  to  your  knees,  with  water  to 
drink,  the  stench  of  which  is  enough  to  make  you  vomit  and 
have  to  cat  boiled  pork  swimming  in  cold  fat  with  hard  bread, 
and  not  half  enough  of  that,  you  may  have  seen  hard  times." 
Returning  to  Hilton  Head,  in  January,  1863,  he  was  engaged  in 
doing  out-post  duty  until  June  24th,  when  his  regiment  moved 
to  St.  Helena  Island!  to  form  part  of  a  column  then  organizing 
under  Gen.  George  C.  Strong  to  assault  Morris  Island.  Mr. 
Fish  participated  in  a  charge  upon  the  enemy's  rifle-pits  on 
Morris  Island  July  iotli,  and  on  Fort  Wagner  on  the  follow- 
ing day.  In  a  subsequent  charge,  on  the  1 8th  of  July,  the 
9th  Maine  also  held  an  important  position  in  the  assaulting 
column. 

On  the  1st  of  August   Mr.  Fish  had  an  attack  of  sunstroke, 
which    disqualified    him    for  duty  for  a  considerable   length   of 


*  In  a  subsequent  letter,  dated  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C,  Dec.  5,  1801,  he  says, 
referring  to  this  voyage :  "We  had  a  hard  time  getting  down  here;  it  was  terrible 
rough  and  nearly  all  our  regiment  were  seasick.  To  us  was  accorded  the  dangerous 
honor  of  being  the  second  regiment  to  land  on  Port  Royal  Island  when  it  was 
captured.  We  effected  a  landing  in  the  night  and  lay  down  on  the  sand  for  a  little 
rest.  As  the  night  was  quite  cold  it  about  used  the  boys  up.  We  have  lost  twenty- 
tun  men  thus  far,  but  I  am  as  tough  as  a  knot." 

t  From  there  he  wrote  as  a  bit  of  news,  June  23,  1 S6 j  :  "On  the  17th  inst.  the 
rebel  ram,  '  lingal',  came  down  the  Savannah  River,  evidently  with  the  intention  of 
capturing  one  of  our  monitors  and  destroying  our  blockading  fleet.  Her  plans  were 
frustrated  and  she  herself  captured.  The  monitor  tired  live  shots,  four  of  which  went 
clear  through  the  '  Fingal'.  The  tirst  one  struck  the  pilot  house,  killing  the  captain 
and  the  man  a'  the  wheel.  There  were  sixteen  killed  and  wounded  and  165  prisoners. 
She  is  a  formidable  Looking  craft,  I  can  tell  you,  and  has  caused  much  anxiety  among 
our  fleet." 


THE  BOYS  IN  BLUE.  347 

time.*  In  January,  1864,  he  re-enlisted  and  was  granted  a 
furlough  with  the  others  of  his  company  who  had  likewise 
re-enlisted.  On  his  return  to  Washington  the  ship  on  which 
he  took  passage  encountered  a  three  days'  storm,  which  gave 
them  a  pretty  thorough  shaking  up.  On  the  28th  of  April  he 
rejoined  his  regiment  at  Gloucester  Point,  Va.  On  the  4th  of 
May  his  regiment  sailed  up  the  James  River  and  disembarked 
at  Bermuda  Landing  on  the  following  day.  On  the  7th  his 
regiment  engaged  the  enemy  at  Walthall  Junction.  On  the 
15th  they  marched  to  Drury's  Bluff  and  engaged  the  enemy  at 
that  place  on  the  17th.  After  again  engaging  the  enemy  at 
Bermuda  Hundred  on  the  20th,  and  at  Cold  Harbor,  June  1st, 
they  arrived  in  front  of  Petersburg  on  the  23d  and  engaged  the 
enemy  on  the  30th,  and  was  with  the  regiment  in  all  its  opera- 
tions around  Petersburg.  In  a  letter  dated  before  Petersburg 
Jul)7  13,  1864,  he  writes: 

"We  hear  little  except  the  continual  crack  of  the  sharpshooter's 
rifle  and  the  incessant  boom  of  cannon.  The  two  contending  armies 
are  within  five  hundred  yards  of  each  other,  and  on  some  parts  of  the 
line  they  talk  together.  But  on  our  front  if  a  man,  on  either  side,  shows 
his  head  above  the  hreast-works  he  gets  it  hurt.  We  lav  in  a  line  of 
battle  all  the  time,  and  have  done  so  ever  since  we  commenced  this 
campaign,  our  only  protection  from  the  weather  being  a  small  shelter 
tent  about  five  feet  square.  It  is  hard  work  this  hot  weather,  I  assure 
you.  The  shoes  we  get  here  are  very  poor,  indeed  ;  they  will  not  last 
over  six  weeks,  with  careful  usage,  and  cost  us  $2.50  per  pair." 

During  the  entire  summer's  campaign  the  duties  were  of  an 
extremely  fatiguing  nature,  and  to  use  Mr.  Fish's  own  language: 
"It  has  been  fight  and  dig,  dig  and  fight,  ever  since  this  cam- 
paign commenced."  After  engaging  the  enemy  before  Peters- 
burg, July  30th,  and  at  Deep  Bottom  on  the  1 6th  and  1  Sth  of 
August,  they  returned  to    Petersburg  on    the    20th    and    there 


*  During  this  time  occurred  the  bombardment  of  Fort  Sumter,  by  the  Federal 
gun-boats,  of  which  he  thus  writes:  "Nov.  2,  1863.  They  are  pelting  away  at 
Sumter.  Have  been  at  it  a  week  to-day,  ami  it  has  been  one  continuous  roar  night 
and  day.  The  fort  looks  like  a  loose  pile  of  brick,  and  ere  this  reaches  you,  it  will 
be  in  our  possession." 


348  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

remained  on  duty  in  the  trenches  until  September  28th,  when 
they  were  ordered  to   Chapin's    Farm.      Here  on   the   following 

day  they  formed  a  part  of  the  forces  which  made  the  assault  on 
Fort  Gilmore.  During  this  engagement  Mr.  Fish  was  wounded 
in  the  side  by  a  fragment  of  a  shell;  and  in  the  left  foot  by  a 
minnie-ball,  which  cut  the  sole  of  his  shoe  completely  in  two. 
He  was  conveyed  to  Hampton  Hospital,  near  Fortress  Monroe, 
where  he  slowly  recovered  from  the  effects  of  his  wounds.  Of 
him,  Lieut.  Bradley  Smith  writes:  "I  am  glad  to  be  able  to 
state  at  no  time  during  my  knowledge  of  him,  from  September, 
1 86 1,  to  November,  1864,  did  I  ever  consider  him  to  merit  less 
than  this  endorsement,  viz. :  One  of  the  bravest  and  best 
soldiers  in  the  company." 

During  the  war  he  served  three  years  and  two  months,  and 
participated   in  seventeen  battles  and  skirmishes. 

EBEN   FISH. 

Eben  Fish,  son  of  Elisha  and  Mary  (Robinson)  Fish,  was 
born  in  Stark,  Somerset  Co.,  Me.,  Nov.  29,  1844.  During  his 
boyhood  his  life  was  spent  much  the  same  as  that  of  other 
farmers'  sons.  Previous  to  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  his 
father  moved  to  Industry;  and  in  the  fall  of  1863  he  enlisted 
as  a  recruit  for  the  9th  Maine  Regiment.  He  was  mustered 
into  the  U.  S.  service,  at  Portland,  Me.,  Dec.  9,  1863,  and 
rendezvoused  with  other  recruits  at  Camp  Berry,  until  Jan.  17, 
!  864,  when  he  left  Portland  to  join  his  regiment,  and  was 
assigned  to  Co.  G,  of  which  his  brother  Calvin  P.,  was  a  mem- 
ber, then  stationed  at  Black  Island,  S.  C.  They  remained  here 
until  the  18th  of  April,  when  the  regiment  was  ordered  to 
Morris  Island,  where  the)-  arrived  on  the  2 2d.  On  the  4th  of 
Ma)'  they  sailed  up  the  James  River  and  disembarked  at  Ber- 
muda Landing  on  the  following  day.  On  the  7th,  Mr.  Pish's 
regiment  engaged  the  enemy  at  Walthall  Junction,  and  he 
assisted  in  destroying  the  railroad  at  that  place.  The  regiment 
also  fought  the  enemy  at  Bermuda  Hundred,  on  the  20th,  and 
<ui  the  1st  of  June  made  an  assault  on  the  enemy's  works  at 
Cold   Harbor,  the  subject  of   this   sketch    participating   in   both 


THE  BOYS  IN  BLUE.  349 

engagements.  On  the  23d  of  June  the  regiment  arrived  in 
front  of  Petersburg.  On  the  30th,  Mr.  Fish  was  one  of  a  hun- 
dred men  detailed  from  the  9th  Maine  for  a  reconnoissance. 
They  met  and  engaged  the  enemy,  and  out  of  the  one  hundred 
men  the  loss,  in  killed  and  wounded,  was  forty-nine.  Mr.  Fish 
received  eight  wounds,  the  most  serious  of  which  was  a  ball 
passing  through  the  left  leg  near  the  knee,  and  lodging  in  the 
right  knee.  His  right  hand  was  so  badly  mangled  as  to  render 
amputation  at  the  wrist  necessary.  After  his  wounds  were 
properly  dressed  he  was  removed  to  the  Hammond  General 
Hospital,  at  Point  Lookout,  Maryland.  For  a  time  his  wounds 
seemed  to  be  doing  well,  but  ere  long  matters  took  an  unfavor- 
able turn, — he  sank  rapidly  and  passed  away  Aug.  14,  1864, 
forty-five  days  after  receiving  his  wounds.  His  body  lies 
buried  at  Point  Lookout,  by  the  side  of  the  Potomac,  where 
it  will  rest  until  that  day  when  the  "mortal  shall  put  on  im- 
mortality." 

BENJAMIN   FOLLETT. 

Benjamin  Follett,  son  of  Benjamin  and  Abigail  Follett, 
was  born  in  Industry,  July  10,  18 19.  Enlisting  under  the  call 
for  troops  to  serve  nine  months,  and  was  mustered  into  the 
U.  S.  service  Oct.  13,  1862,  as  a  private  in  Co.  K,  24th 
Regiment,  Maine  Volunteer  Infantry.  Although  the  regiment 
left  camp  at  Augusta  Oct.  29,  1862,  the)'  did  not  reach  their 
destination  (New  Orleans)  until  Feb.  14,  1863,  having  been 
detained  at  East  New  York  by  an  outbreak  of  measles,  and 
on  the  way  by  contrary  winds  and  rough  weather.  On  May 
21,  1863,  they  embarked  for  Port  Hudson,  La.,  where  Mr 
Follett  died  June  7,  1863,  aged  43  years,  10  months  and  2J 
days. 

WILLIAM    Q.  FOLSOM. 

William  Ouimby  Folsom,  son  of  Daniel  and  Martha 
(Ouimby)  Folsom,  was  born  in  Industry  in  I  8  19.  He  enlisted 
as  a  member  of  Co.  K,  24th  Maine  Regiment,  Infantry,  to 
serve   nine  months,   and   was    mustered   into   the   U.   S.   service 


44 


350  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

at  Augusta,  Oct.  13,  1862.  Being  a  skillful  performer  on  the 
tenor  drum,  he  was  immediately  appointed  company  musician. 
Ilr  died  at   Bonne  Cant-,  La.,  April    19,  1863,  aged  44  years. 

WILLIAM    II.    FROST. 

William  I  Ienry  Frost,  son  of  Samuel  and  Martha  (Littlefield  ) 
Frost,  was  born  in  Industry,  May  16,  1841.  On  the  breaking 
out  of  the  war  he  went  to  New  Hampshire,  and  there  enlisted  in 
Co. — ,  7th  Regiment,  \.  II.  Volunteer  Infantry.  In  the  summer 
of  1862  the  regiment  made  a  long  march  on  the  "double  quick." 
Being  much  fatigued,  he  seated  himself  on  the  ground,  took  a 
severe  cold,  which  resulted  in  typhoid  fewer.  He  died  at 
Beaufort,  S.  ('.,  July  20,  1862.  Appropriate  memorial  services 
were  held  at   the  Centre  Meeting-House. 

JOHN    F.  GERRY. 

John  Fairfield  Gerry,  son  of  Elbridge  and  Esther  Jane  (  Frost ) 
Gerry,  was  born  in  Alfred,  Me.,  April  19,  1839.  He  enlisted 
from  the  town  of  Industry,  for  nine  months,  and  was  mustered 
into  the  service  Dec.  12,  1862,  and  assigned  to  Co.  K,  24th 
Maine  Regiment.  When  his  comrades  were  ordered  South  he 
was  retained  on  duty  as  orderly,  at  headquarters,  Augusta,  Me., 
where  he  remained  until  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  service, 
and  was  mustered  out  with  his  company.  He  was  instantly 
killed  by  a  locomotive  engine,  at  Prison  Point,  Mass.,  April  5, 
1882,  aged  43  years,  1  1   months  and  16  days. 

BRADFORD    GILMORE. 

Bradford  Gilmore,  son  of  James  and  Rachel  (Wade)  Gil- 
more,  was  horn  in  Industry,  Jan.  8,  1845.  He  enlisted  as  a 
recruit  in  Co.  F,  14th  Maine  Regiment,  Infantry,  and  was  mus- 
tered into  the  service  Jan.  9,  1862,  joining  the  regiment  before 
it  went  South.  Leaving  Augusta  for  Boston  on  the  5th  of 
February,  they  embarked  at  that  place  on  the  ship  "  North 
America,"  for  Ship  Island,  Miss.,  on  the  6th.  Sailing  on  the 
8th,  they  reached  their  destination  on  the  8th  of  March,  having 


THE  BOYS  IN  BLUE.  35  T 

been  a  full  month  in  making  the  passage.  Stopping  here  some 
over  two  months,  they  sailed  for  New  Orleans,  La.,  on  board 
the  ship  "Premier,"  where  they  arrived  on  the  25th.  On  the 
26th  they  landed  and  quartered  in  Freret's  Cotton  Press.  They 
remained  stationed  in  and  about  New  Orleans  during  the  month 
of  June.  Died  of  consumption  July  26,  1862,  aged  17  years,  6 
months  and  18  days. 

ALMORE    HASKELL. 

Almore  Haskell  was  a  native  of  Harrison,  Me.,  and  a  pho- 
tographer by  profession.  He  enlisted  as  a  member  of  Co.  L, 
1st  Maine  Cavalry,  and  was  mustered  into  the  U.  S.  service 
Nov.  1,  1 86 1 .  Owing  to  various  hindrances  the  regiment  did 
not  receive  their  equipments  until  near  the  following  spring.  In 
consequence  of  disability  Mr.  Haskell  was  discharged  on  the 
1  1  tli  day  of  February,  1862,  nearly  six  weeks  before  his  com- 
pany left  for  the  seat  of  war. 

JOHN    M.  LOWES. 

John  Martin  Howes,  son  of  John  and  Annah  (Dutton) 
Howes,  was  born  in  Industry,  May  8,  1839.  He  enlisted  in  Co. 
K,  13th  Maine  Regiment,  Nov.  16,  1861,  for  three  years,  and 
was  mustered  into  the  U.  S.  service  on  the  28th  day  of  the 
following  month.  The  regiment  went  into  camp  at  Augusta, 
where  it  remained  until  the  1 8th  of  February,  when  it  was 
ordered  South,  and  started  for  Boston,  where  they  arrived  the 
same  day.  Remaining  here  until  the  21st,  they  proceeded  to 
New  York,  and  from  thence  directly  to  Ship  Island,  Miss.  Mr. 
Howes  participated  in  every  battle  in  which  his  regiment  was 
engaged.  He  was  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Pleasant  Hill, 
April  9,  1864,  from  the  effects  of  which  he  was  obliged  to 
remain  in  Charity  Hospital  near  New  Orleans,  about  two  months. 
On  the  1st  of  August,  1864,  near  Frederick,  Md.,  he  was  again 
disabled  by  sunstroke,  and  was  sent  to  the  Field  Hospital  at 
Sandy  Hook.  Here,  after  partially  recovering,  he  served  for 
nearly  three  months  as  chief  nurse  and  ward-master.  From 
thence   he  rejoined   his  regiment  at  Martinsburg,  Va.,  and  with 


s?- 


HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 


the  other  original  members,  of  whom  only  155  remained,  started 
for  Augusta,  Me.,  where  Mr.  Howes  was  finally  discharged, 
Jan.  6,  1865.  Promotion  was  offered  and  declined  in  several 
instances,  he  preferring  no  more  than  the  ordinary  soldier's 
responsibilities.  Notwithstanding  this,  he  was  ever  ready  to 
stand  in  any  gap  where  duty  called,  and  frequently  fdled  official 
positions  for  a  brief  space  of  time.  He  was  not  found  wanting 
in  the  hour  when  men  were  needed,  and  chose  his  lot  with  "  the 
boys"  the  better  to  help  and  encourage  them  in  the  endurance 
of  the  privations  and  hardships  incident  to  the  soldier's  life. 
He  subsequently  became  an  able  minister  of  the  Methodist  de- 
nomination, and  now  resides  in  Caribou,  Aroostook  County,  Me. 

ADRIANCE    R.  JOHNSON. 

Adriance  Regal  Johnson,  son  of  Nathan  S.  and  Mary  C. 
(Butler)  Johnson,  was  born  in  Industry,  Jan.  3,  1848.  Possess- 
ing an  ardent  desire  to  enlist,  which  was  contrary  to  the  wishes 
of  his  parents,  he  several  times  clandestinely  left  home  and 
enlisted  but  was  invariably  restored  to  his  parents  upon  prool 
that  he  was  not  of  the  required  age.  At  length  near  the  end 
of  his  sixteenth  year  he  gained  his  parents'  consent  and  enlisted 
as  a  private  in  Co.  F,  2d  Regiment,  Maine  Cavalry,  and  was 
mustered  into  the  service  Dec.  11,  1863.  Going  South  in 
April  following,  the  stress  of  his  arduous  duties  caused  his 
health  to  break  down  after  some  months'  service.  Later  he 
was  granted  a  furlough,  and  subsequently  discharged  for  disa- 
bility, April  21,  [865.  A  lew  years  afterward  Mr.  Johnson 
went  to  the  Pacific  Slope  and  at  last  accounts  was  living  at 
Baker  City,  (  >regon. 

WILLIAM    (i.   LEWIS. 

William  G.  Lewis,  son  of  William  and  Sarah  (Peal)  Lewis, 
was  born  in  New  Vineyard,  Maine,  in  1831.  He  married,  Oct. 
— ,  1852,  Julia  A.,  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Hannah  (Beal) 
Norman,  of  Waterville,  Maine.  He  was  drafted  under  the 
conscription  act  in  the  summer  of  1863,  and  mustered  into 
the  (J.  S.  service  July  1  5th.      1  le  was  then  assigned  to  Co.  A,  8th 


THE  BOYS  IN  BLUE.  353 

Maine  Regiment,  Infantry,  which  he  joined  while  it  was  sta- 
tioned at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.  Here  his  company  remained 
until  Nov.  14,  1863.  From  here  they  went  to  Beaufort,  where 
they  were  encamped  until  April  13,  1864,  when  they  were  trans- 
ferred to  the  Department  of  Virginia.  On  the  4th  of  May  they 
moved  to  Bermuda  Hundred,  where  they  took  part  in  all  the 
active  operations  of  the  Army  of  the  James.  On  the  16th  Mr. 
Lewis  participated  in  the  engagement  at  Drury's  Bluff,  where 
the  regiment's  loss  was  three  killed,  sixty-four  wounded  and 
twenty-nine  taken  prisoners.  On  the  3d  of  June  he  participated 
in  an  assault  on  the  enemy's  lines  at  Cold  Harbor. 

On  the  1 2th  they  moved  to  White  House  Landing  and  from 
thence  to  Petersburg,  where  on  the  15th,  1 6th  and  17th  they 
engaged  the  enemy,  and  on  the  1 8th  made  a  successful  attack 
and  carried  a  portion  of  the  enemy's  line.  From  this  date  to 
the  middle  of  July  Mr.  Lewis  was  engaged  in  picket  duty  and 
work  on  the  trenches.  On  the  17th  of  July  he  was  wounded 
in  the  head  by  a  rebel  sharpshooter,  while  on  picket  duty.  He 
was  conveyed  to  the  hospital,  where  he  remained  in  an  uncon- 
scious condition  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred 
July  22,  1864.      Aged  34  years. 

FIFIEL1)   A.   LUCE. 

Fifield  Augustus  Luce,  son  of  Daniel  C.  and  Lucy  A.  (  Lake) 
Luce,  enlisted  on  Lewiston's  quota,  in  the  20th  Company,  Unas- 
signed  Infantry,  for  one  year,  and  was  mustered  into  the  U.  S. 
service  March  22,  1865,  at  Augusta.  Immediately  after  its 
organization  the  company  was  sent  to  Galloupe's  Island  in  Boston 
Harbor,  where  the  members  were  under  the  constant  instruction 
of  a  drill  master  for  nearly  two  weeks.  At  the  end  of  that  time 
the  company  embarked  on  the  U.  S.  transport  "  Blackstone  "  for 
Savannah,  Ga.,  where  they  joined  the  14th  Maine  Regiment  as 
Co.  II  on  the  10th  of  April.  On  the  6th  day  of  May  the  regi- 
ment moved  toward  Augusta,  Ga.,  "where,"  says  Mr.  Luce,  "we 
arrived  after  an  uneventful  march  of  seven  days."  Here  they 
remained  until  May  3  1st,  when  they  were  ordered  back  to  Savan- 
nah, where  they  arrived  June  7th.     Two  days  later  they  marched 


3  5  4  i //six  >/c )  ■  of  rNDl  sir  ) : 

to  Darien,  Ga.,  from  which  place  Mr.  Luce's  company  was 
ordered  to  Brunswick,  Ga.,  where  it  remained  until  about  August 
loth,  when  it  joined  the  regiment  at  Darien.  LJp  to  August 
28th  the  soldiers  were  engaged  in  guard  and  patrol  duty,  and 
on  that  day  were  mustered  out  of  the  service.  Sept.  1,  1865, 
Mr.  Luce  and  his  comrades  started  for  Augusta,  Me.,  where 
they  arrived  on  the  17th.  Here  they  were  paid  off  and  finally 
discharged  on  the  28th  of  September,  having  served  159  days. 
When  last  heard  from  he  resided  in  Springfield,  Mo. 

Jul  |\    T.  LUCE. 

John  Truman  Luce,  son  of  Daniel  C.  and  Lucy  A.  (Lake) 
Luce,  was  born  in  Industry,  Feb.  21,  1843,  and  like  most  boys 
born  in  Industry,  was  brought  up  on  a  farm.  His  educational  ad- 
vantages were  limited  to  the  common  district  schools.  On  the 
breaking  out  of  the  war  in  [861,  he  became  inspired  with  an 
ardent  desire  to  enlist.  Gaining  the  consent  of  his  parents,  he 
enlisted  in  the  13th  Maine  Regiment,  and  was  assigned  to  Co. 
L..  Lor  a  while  after  his  enlistment  he  was  stationed  at  Camp 
Beaufort,  Augusta,  Me.  Here,  with  his  comrades,  he  was  con- 
stantly engaged  in  drill,  preparatory  to  active  service  in  the 
held.  After  some  ten  weeks  the  regiment  started  for  Boston, 
where  it  arrived  Feb.  19,  1862.  Before  leaving  Augusta,  the 
boys  were  treated  with  hot  coffee,  by  the  patriotic  citizens,  and 
at  various  places  on  the  way  many  similar  kindnesses  were 
shown  them.  Mr.  Luce  and  his  comrades  left  Boston  on  the 
21st  of  February,  embarking  on  board  the  transport  "  Missis- 
sippi "  for  fortress  Monroe,  and  from  thence  they  sailed  for 
Ship  Island,  Miss.,  on  the  25th.  After  leaving  Fortress  Mon- 
roe, they  experienced  rough  weather,  and  ran  on  to  the  Frying 
Pan  Shoals,  where  they  remained  for  over  twenty-four  hours. 
This  accident  caused  the  ship  to  leak  badly,  and  it  became 
necessary  to  bail  water  incessantly  to  keep  the  ship  afloat, 
lhey  hoisted  a  signal  of  distress  and  fired  the  minute  gun,  which 
brought  one  of  the  blockade  gunboats  to  their  rescue.  They 
went  on  board  the  gunboat  and  remained  until  morning.  The 
"  Mississippi  "  thus  lightened,  was  kept  afloat  by  the  crew,  and  in 


THE  BOWS  JN  BLUE.  355 

the  morning  the  troops  returned  and  she  put  into  Hilton  Head 
for  repairs.  Finding  that  the  "  Mississippi"  was  so  badly  dam- 
aged that  considerable  time  would  be  required  for  repairs, 
the\-  embarked  on  the  transport  "  Matanza  "  for  Ship  Island, 
where  they  arrived  on  the  2ist  of  March,  having  been  31  days 
on  the  way  from  Boston.  While  on  the  Island  the  rations  of 
the  soldiers  were  of  good  quality  and  sufficient  quantity,  and 
Mr.  Luce's  health  was  remarkably  good.  About  the  middle  of 
May,  however,  he  had  an  attack  of  typhoid  fever,  but  possess- 
ing rare  recuperative  powers,  he  rallied  from  this  disease  and 
was  pronounced  convalescent.  He  continued  to  steadily  im- 
prove until  Wednesday,  June  4th,  when  he  was  stricken  with 
diphtheria,  which  resulted  in  his  death  three  days  later,  aged 
19  years,  3  months  and  16  days.  Of  him,  a  superior  officer 
writes:  "John  was  a  good  boy,  prompt  and  active,  cheerful 
and  contented,  respected  and  loved  by  all  who  knew  him." 
During  his  last  illness  he  was  complimented  by  his  attending 
surgeon  for  the  heroic  fortitude  with  which  he  endured  his 
sufferings.  He  was  buried  on  the  Island,  with  all  the  honors 
of  a  soldier,  the  entire  company  following  his  remains  to  the 
grave. 

HENRY    S.  MAINES. 

Henry  S.  Maines,  as  nearly  as  can  be  learned,  was  a  native 
of  Georgetown,  Me.  He  married,  Dec.  9,  1855,  Fannie  N. 
Morse,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Aurilla  (Green)  Morse,  of 
Stark.  At  the  time  of  his  enlistment,  he  was  a  resident  of 
Industry.  He  enlisted  as  a  member  of  Co.  E,  32d  Regiment, 
Maine  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  mustered  into  the  service 
April  2,  1864.  There  being  an  urgent  demand  for  troops  at 
the  front,  Mr.  Maines's  company  was  ordered  South  soon  after 
its  organization.  He  was  taken  ill  en  route  and  died  in  Rhode 
Island,  Ma)-  15,  1864,  aged  44  years. 

GILBERT    R.   MERRY. 

Gilbert  Remick  Merry,  son  of  David  and  Betsey  (Remick) 
Merry,  was  born  in  New  Vineyard,  Me.,  July  17,  [838.  He 
enlisted   under   the    President's  call   for  nine  months  men   in  the 


556  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

fall  of  1862,  and  was  mustered  into  the  U.  S.  service  as  a  mem- 
ber of  Co.  K,  24th  Maine  Regiment,  Infantry,  October  13th, 
and  was  soon  after  appointed  company  wagoner.  He  was 
taken  ill  while  stationed  at  Bonne  Carre,  La.,  and  died  May  17, 
[863,  aged   24  years  and  10  months. 

I'.I.I AS    MILLER. 

Elias  Miller,  son  of  Capt.  Jacob  and  Hannah  AI.  Miller, 
was  born  in  Farmington,  Me.,  April  23,  1841.  When  quite 
young,  his  parents  moved  to  Industry.  His  educational  advan- 
tages were  such  as  were  afforded  by  town  schools  at  that  time, 
with  the  exception  of  two  terms  of  high  school  at  New  Sharon. 
In  the  fall  of  1862  he  enlisted  in  Co.  K,  24th  Maine  Regiment, 
Infantry,  and  was  mustered  into  the  U.  S.  service  on  the  13th 
day  of  October,  He  went  South  with  his  regiment  and  partici- 
pated in  all  its  privations  and  hardships  until  the  following 
summer,  when  his  health  broke  down  in  consequence  of  ex- 
posure and  the  unhealthfulness  of  the  climate,  and  he  died  at 
Port    Hudson,  La.,  July  5,  1863,  aged  21  years. 

HENRY    <;.  MITCHELL. 

Henry  Gilbert  Mitchell,  son  of  James  \V.  L.  and  Julia 
(Gilbert)  Mitchell,  was  born  in  Leeds,  Androscoggin  Co.,  Me., 
May  31,  1826.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Jonah  and 
Miriam  (  Getchell )  Jacobs,  of  Pittsfield,  Me.,  and  came  to  Industry 
in  1X58  or  soon  after,  and  settled  on  the  Dr.  Josiah  Henderson 
farm,  which  he  purchased  of  John  Mosher.  He  enlisted  for 
one  year  as  a  private  in  the  1st  Company,  Unassigned  Infantry, 
Capt.  Edward  S.  Butler.  He  was  mustered  into  the  l\  S.  ser- 
vice Sept.  16,  1864,  and  the  company  was  assigned  to  the  29th 
Regiment,  as  Co.  A.  There  being  an  urgent  demand  for  troops 
at  the  front,  Mr.  Mitchell's  company  left  Augusta  for  Washing- 
ton, 1).  C,  as  soon  as  it  was  properly  equipped,  and  reached  its 
destination  on  the  day  that  Sheridan  made  his  famous  ride 
during  the  battle  of  Winchester.  Oct.  19,  1864,  he  partici- 
pated in  the  battle  of  Cedar  Creek,  and  afterwards  in  the  innum- 
erable    skirmishes    which    characterized    the    last    days    of    the 


THE  BOYS  IN  BLUE.  357 

great  civil  conflict.  Receiving  his  discharge  June  5,  1865,  he 
returned  to  Industry,  and  continued  to  cultivate  his  farm  for 
some  years.  He  then  went  to  Lowell,  Mass.,  where  he  remained 
for  a  time  serving  as  night  watch  in  a  large  mill.  He  returned 
to  his  native  town  some  years  ago,  where  he  still  lives,  engaged 
in  farming. 

ATWOOD    MORSE. 

Atwood  Morse  came  to  Industry,  from  New  Portland,  with 
his  widowed  mother,  and  engaged  to  work  in  Amos  S.  II ink- 
ley's  shovel-handle  factor)7  at  Allen's  Mills.  Sept.  26,  1864,  a 
draft  was  made  from  the  enrolled  militia  in  Industry,  to  make 
up  an  existing  deficiency  of  two  men  under  the  various  calls 
for  soldiers.  Mr.  Morse's  name  was  the  third  drawn,  and  by 
the  exemption  of  the  second  person  drafted  he  was  held  for 
service  and  assigned  to  Co.  F,  9th  Maine  Regiment,  Infantry. 
He  participated  in  all  the  various  movements  and  engagements 
of  his  regiment,  after  joining  it  at  Chapin's  Farm,  up  to  the 
time  of  his  discharge,  June  30,  1865.  He  returned  to  Somer- 
set County,  after  his  discharge,  married,  and  raised  up  a  family. 
In  the  fall  of  1885  he  was  granted  a  pension  with  arrearages, 
amounting  to  $1  100.  Soon  after  this  he  disappeared  from 
North  Anson,  where  he  was  then  living,  and  is  reported  to 
have  gone  West. 

JOHN    M.  NASH. 

John  M.  Nash  came  to  Industry  from  Hallowell,  and  settled 
on  the  Deacon  Brice  S.  Edwards  farm  in  the  spring  of  1863. 
He  enlisted  as  a  recruit  for  the  2d  Battery,  Mounted  Artillery, 
and  was  mustered  into  the  service  Jan.  4,  1864.  Discharged 
in  1865,  date  not  known.  He  died  at  his  home  in  Industry, 
from  disease  contracted  in  the  service,  March  3,  1869,  aged  57 
years.* 


*  Mr.  Nash  was  also  captain  of  Co.  E,  3d  Regiment,  Maine  Volunteer  Infantry. 
Resigned  July  30,  1861.  His  remains  lie  buried  in  an  unmarked  grave  in  the  ceme- 
tery near  George  W.  Johnson's. 

45 


3  5>s  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

DAVID  M.  N(  »RT<  >N. 
David  Men-}-  Norton,  son  of  Benjamin  \Y.  and  Amy  A. 
(Mantcr)  Norton,  was  born  in  New  Vineyard,  March  23,  1X41. 
He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Industry,  with  an 
occasional  term  at  some  high  school,  and  before  he  had 
attained  his  majority  he  began  to  teach.  At  the  time  of  his 
enlistment,  in  the  fall  of  1862,  he  was  attending  a  term  of  high 
school  at  West's  Mills.  He  enlisted  on  the  10th  day  of  Sep 
tember,  as  a  private  in  Co.  K,  24th  Maine  Regiment,  Volunteer 
Infantry,  and  on  the  1 6th  was  appointed  orderly  sergeant.  Oct. 
29,  1862,  the  regiment  left  .Augusta  for  East  New  York,  where 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  prostrated  with  rheumatic  fever, 
from  which  he  had  not  full)-  recovered  when  the  regiment  was 
ordered  on  board  the  ship  "  Onward,"  bound  for  New  Orleans, 
La.  After  a  passage  of  twenty-one  days,  they  arrived  at  Car- 
rol lton,  where  he  was  attacked  with  pneumonia,  and  was  sent  to 
the  hospital.  He  was  afterward  sent  to  the  University  Hos- 
pital at  New  Orleans.  Here  he,  with  man}-  others,  suffered  for 
want  of  food,  and  was  often  glad  to  get  a  crust  of  bread,  and 
even  bacon  rinds  were  eaten  with  relish.  Receiving  his  dis- 
charge from  the  hospital,  he  started  to  rejoin  his  regiment,  then 
engaged  in  the  investment  of  Port  Hudson,  but  was  detained 
at  Springfield  Landing  by  the  examining  surgeon,  who  did  not 
consider  him  yet  well  enough  for  active  service  at  the  front. 
While  here  Mr.  Norton  assisted  for  a  short  time  in  the  care  of 
the  sick  and  wounded.  Joining  his  regiment  on  the  12th  of 
June,  he  participated  in  the  engagement  which  occurred  on  the 
next  day.  Remaining  in  the  trenches  until  the  4th  of  July,  he 
participated  in  the  action  of  that  daw  On  the  24th  of  July,  took 
passage  up  the  Mississippi  River  on  board  the  steamer  "Louis- 
iana Belle,"  for  Cairo,  111.,  from  whence  they  came  to  Augusta, 
Me.,  by  rail.  Here,  on  the  25th  of  August,  I  863,  they  were  paid 
off  and  finally  discharged.      He  now   resides  in  Anson,  Me. 

<  >LIVER    1).  NORT<  >N. 
Oliver  Davis  Norton,  son  of  James  and    Mary  (Davis)  Nor- 
ton, was  born   in    Industry,  Jan.   21,    1841.      He  enlisted   in  the 


THE  BOYS  IN  BLUE.  359 

summer  of  1862,  after  he  became  of  age,  and  was  mustered 
into  the  U.  S.  service  August  1 8th,  as  a  private  in  Co.  G,  17th 
Regiment,  Maine  Volunteer  Infantry,*  Capt.  Edward  I.  Merrill, 
of  Farmington.  This  regiment  rendezvoused  at  Camp  Berry, 
in  Portland,  Me.,  and  started  for  Washington  on  the  21st.  Mr. 
Norton's  regiment  saw  much  active  service  and  has  a  fine  record. 
Among  the  incidents  in  his  army  life  he  relates  the  following, 
showing  his  narrow  escape  at  Gettysburg:  "At  this  battle  our 
regiment  occupied  a  commanding  position.  Just  in  front  of 
me  was  a  large  boulder,  behind  which  one  of  our  boys  had 
taken  refuge  and  was  busily  engaged  in  firing  at  the  enemy. 
As  my  musket  had  become  extremely  foul  from  constant  use, 
I  joined  this  fellow  that  I  might  place  the  end  of  my  ramrod 
against  the  rock  in  forcing  the  bullet  down  the  barrel.  We 
were  so  busily  occupied  as  not  to  notice  a  change  of  position 
made  by  our  regiment.  Soon  the  enemy  advanced  their  line 
and  we  were  compelled  to  retreat.  The  enemy  fired  at  us  as 
we  ran  up  the  hill,  and  one  of  the  bullets  tore  the  sleeve  of 
my  blouse.  This  was  the  nearest  I  came  to  being  wounded 
during  my  term  of  service  in  the  army."  Another  incident 
relative  to  his  experience  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  is 
as  follows:  "While  stationed  in  a  piece  of  woods,  our  regi- 
ment was  ordered  to  retreat  from  the  position  it  occupied. 
While  on  the  move  a  wounded  horse  came  dashing  through 
the  woods  from  our  rear  and  threw  me  violently  to  the 
ground.  On  regaining  my  feet  my  regiment  had  passed  out 
of  sight.  Taking  the  direction  I  supposed  they  had  gone,  I 
soon  came  to  a  road.  Glancing  up  this  road  I  discovered,  a 
few  rods  distant,  a  battery  of  rebel  artillery  in  the  act  of 
firing.  I  only  had  time  to  lie  down  in  the  ditch  by  the 
roadside,  when  a  volley  of  grape  and  canister  went  crashing 
over  me.  I  continued  my  search,  and  at  length  found  our 
regiment  without  further  adventure."  Mr.  Norton  is  now  a 
farmer  and  resides  on  the  homestead  in  Industry. 


*  The  17th  Maine  participated  in  thirty-two  battles,  and  is  said  to  have  lost  more 
men  in  killed,  wounded  and  prisoners,  in  proportion  to  its  size,  than  any  other  Maine 
regiment  in  the  service. 


HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

JAMES  PINKHAM. 
James  Pinkham,  son  of  Curtis  and  Rebecca  (I)itson)  rink- 
ham,  was  born  in  Stark,  Me.,  March  25,  1835.  lie  enlisted  as 
a  recruit  for  Co.  L,  1st  Regiment,  Maine  Cavalry,  and  was  mus- 
tered into  the  service  Sept.  2,  1862.  Mustered  out  at  Peters- 
burg Ya.,  Aug.  I,  1865.  The  members  of  the  regiment 
immediately  started  for  Augusta,  Me.,  where  they  arrived  on 
the  9th,  and  were  paid  off  and  finally  discharged.  Mr.  Pink- 
ham  now  resides  in  Farmington,  Me. 

SAMUEL    PINKHAM. 

Samuel  Pinkham,  son  of  Curtis  and  Rebecca  (Ditson) 
Pinkham,  was  born  in  Anson,  Me.,  April  2,  1841.  He  enlisted 
as  a  recruit  for  Co.  L,  1st  Maine  Regiment,  Cavalry,  and  was 
mustered  into  the  service  Sept.  3,  1862.  But  little  can  be 
learned  of  Mr.  Pinkham's  army  life  aside  from  the  fact  that  he 
was  detailed  as  a  dispatch  carrier  at  the  battle  of  Williamsburg. 
His  health  became  much  impaired  by  the  hardships  of  camp 
life,  and  he  was  sent  to  the  hospital  in  Washington,  D.  C, 
Sept.  13,  1863.  Mustered  out  of  the  service  Aug.  1,  1865, 
and  soon  after  discharged.  Disease  had  made  such  fearful 
inroads  on  his  vital  powers  that  he  never  regained  his  health. 
He  died   May  9,  1866,  aged   25  years,  I  month  and   7  days. 

WELLINGTON    PINKHAM. 

Wellington  Pinkham,  son  of  Curtis  and  Rebecca  (  Ditson  ) 
Pinkham,  was  born  in  Stark,  Me.,  May  28,  1839.  He  was 
brought  up  in  pretty  much  the  same  way  as  the  average  far- 
mer's son, — at  work  on  the  farm  in  the  summer  and  attending 
the  district  school  in  winter.  When  the  War  of  the  Rebellion 
broke  out,  Mr.  Pinkham  enlisted  as  a  member  of  Co.  L,  in  the 
1st  Regiment  of  Maine  Cavalry,  and  was  mustered  into  the 
IT.  S.  service  Nov.  1,  1861.  In  March,  1862,  his  company 
left  Augusta  for  Washington,  D.  C,  where  they  arrived  on  the 
28th  of  that  month,  fie  remained  in  the  vicinity  of  Washing- 
ton about  six  weeks,  when  he  was  taken  sick  with  brain  fever 
and  died  at  Meridian  Hill,  after  a  brief  illness,  May  24,  1862. 


THE  BOYS  IN  BLUE.  36 1 

WILDER    PRATT.* 

Wilder  Pratt,  eldest  son  of  Stephen  M.  and  Elizabeth 
(Cushman)  Pratt,  was  born  in  New  Vineyard,  Me.,  Oct.  3,  1829. 
He  entered  the  service  under  the  conscription  act  July  21,  1863, 
and  was  mustered  out  at  City  Point,  Va.,  Feb.  2,  1866,  having 
served  2  years,  6  months  and  1 1  days. 

CHARLES    S.   PRINCE. 

Charles  S.  Prince,  son  of  Ami  and  Abigail  (Reed)  Prince, 
was  a  native  of  Cumberland,  Me.  He  settled  at  Allen's  Mills 
prior  to  the  War  of  the  Rebellion,  and  eventually  married  a 
daughter  of  Benjamin  Allen.  He  volunteered,  with  others,  in 
the  fall  of  1862,  to  serve  nine  months.  He  was  mustered  in 
Oct.  13,  1862,  as  a  member  of  Co.  K,  24th  Maine  Regiment, 
Volunteer  Infantry,  and  soon  after  was  appointed  corporal. 
Discharged  for  disability,  Dec.  23,  1862,  while  the  regiment  was 
stationed  at  East  New  York.      He  resides  in  Canton,  Dakota. 

ALBANUS    D.  QUINT. 

Albanus  Dudley  Quint,  son  of  Capt.  Joab  and  Elizabeth 
(Thing)  Quint,  enlisted  as  a  musician  in  the  14th  Maine  Veteran 
Infantry  in  March,  1864,  and  was  mustered  into  the  U.  S. 
service  and  assigned  to  Co.  B  on  the  26th  day  of  that  month, — 
at  which  time  he  had  not  completed  the  first  half  of  his  fif- 
teenth year.  On  the  9th  of  April  he  left  Augusta  for  Portland, 
where  he  embarked  on  board  the  steam  transport  "  Merrimac," 
and  sailed  on  the  following  day.  Arriving  at  New  Orleans,  La., 
on  the  19th  of  April,  he  landed  on  the  following  day  at  the 
"  Parapet,"  some  eight  miles  above  the  city.  Here  he  remained 
stationed  until  May  5th,  when  his  regiment  sailed  up  the  river 
to  Baton  Rouge,  where  they  remained  about  three  weeks,  and 
then  proceeded  to  Morganza.  On  the  3d  of  July  they  sailed 
down  the  river  to  Algiers,  opposite  New  Orleans,  preparatory 
to  an  unknown  sea  voyage.      On  the  13th   the  regiment  sailed, 


*  From  the  Adjutant  General's  Reports.     The  writer  fails  to  find  this  name,  how- 
ever, in  any  list  of  conscripts  in  Industry  that  he  has  examined. 


362  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

under  sealed  orders,  for  Bermuda  Hundred,  Va.,  where  it  arrived 
on  the  22d.  Here  Mr.  Quint  and  James  C).  Burce,  also  an 
Industry  boy,  obtained   permission   to  visit  some  acquaintances 

in  the  9th  Maine,  which  was  stationed  about  six  miles  from  their 
own  regiment.  On  the  way  they  passed  rather  too  near  the 
enemy's  out-posts  and  received  the  fire  of  some  twenty  of  the 
enemy.  "This,"  says  Mr.  Quint,  "was  my  first  experience  at 
being  under  fire,  and  as  the  bullets  whistled  over  us  I  involunta- 
rily '  ducked '  my  head  a  little,  whereupon  Burce  chaffed  me 
by  asking  'what  I  was  dodging  for?'  I  noticed,  however,  that 
he  was  in  favor  of  an  immediate  retreat  to  a  piece  of  timber 
which  stood  near,  and  made  excellent  time  on  the  way."  They 
made  their  visit  and  returned  without  further  adventure.  On 
the  following  da}'  Mr.  Quint  had  his  first  experience  at  march- 
ing, when  the  brigade  to  which  he  belonged  made  a  double- 
quick  march  of  five  miles,  expecting  to  make  a  charge  on  the 
enemy's  works,  but  from  some  cause  the  attack  was  not  made. 
On  the  3  1  st  of  July  they  sailed  for  Washington,  "where,"  says 
Mr.  Quint,  "  we  had  the  honor  of  dining  on  chocolate  coffee 
and  sour  bread."  August  14th  they  started  for  the  Shenan- 
doah Valley,  marching  fifteen  miles  per  day.  On  the  4th  day, 
at  about  2  o'clock,  having  made  their  day's  march,  they  re- 
ceived orders  to  be  ready  in  five  minutes  to  make  a  forced 
march,  as  a  large  body  of  the  enemy  was  moving  to  cut  them 
off  from  the  main  body  of  Sheridan's  army  at  Berryville.  This 
distance,  thirty-two  miles,  they  accomplished  without  making  a 
single  halt,  marching  through  Snicker's  Gap  and  fording  the 
Shenandoah  River  after  dark,  and  arriving  at  their  destination 
soon  after  midnight.  Making  a  total  march  of  forty-seven  wiles 
without  scarcely  a  halt.  During  the  last  three  hours  of  their 
march  it  rained  hard,  and  as  a  result  of  the  fatigue  and  expos- 
ure of  this  march,  Mr.  Quint  suffered  severely  from  cramps, 
followed  by  varicose  veins  of  his  lower  limbs.  Had  his  regi- 
ment moved  again  immediately,  his  injuries  would  have  com- 
pelled him  to  have  sought  treatment  at  the  hospital;  this  he 
felt  loth  to  do,  "  for,"  says  he,  "  I  had  previously  sworn  that  I 
would  die  rather  than  apply  to  the  regimental   surgeon   for  aid. 


THE  BOYS  IN  BLUE.  363 

This  gentleman  had  gained  my  displeasure  on  one  occasion 
when  I  applied  to  him  for  an  ounce  of  Epsom  salts  by  roughly 
saying,  '  Get  out,  you  have  been  here  enough  already' — mistak- 
ing me  for  a  regular  patient.  Then  and  there,"  adds  Mr. 
Quint,  "I  'got  out'  and  kept  out,  never  having  been  excused 
from  duty  for  a  single  clay  during  my  term  of  service." 

The  next  movement  made  by  the  regiment  was  to  within 
a  few  miles  of  Winchester,  where  they  remained  entrenched 
until  September  19th,  when  they  took  part  in  the  battle  of 
Winchester.  At  the  battle  of  Fisher's  Hill,  the  brigade  to 
which  Mr.  Quint  belonged  was  detailed  to  harass  the  enemy's 
rear.  Following  the  retreating  enemy  as  far  as  Harrisonburg, 
they  marched  from  thence  to  Stanton.  Here  they  were  so  far 
from  their  supplies  that  for  several  days  they  drew  only  quarter 
rations.  "  On  the  4th  of  October,"  says  Mr.  Quint,  "James 
Burce  and  I  formed  part  of  a  party  detailed  for  a  foraging 
expedition.  We  had  good  luck,  and  I  brought  in  four  chick- 
ens and  a  quarter  of  mutton.  I  was  fifteen  years  old  on  that 
day,  and  celebrated  the  occasion  by  eating  a  big  supper, — my 
first  square  meal  for  a  week.  One  big  burly  Irishman  brought 
in  a  tanned  calf-skin,  and  I  still  have  in  my  possession  a  can- 
teen strap  made  from  it."  From  here  they  returned  down  the 
valley  and  entrenched  on  Cedar  Creek.  On  the  evening  of  the 
1 8th  of  October  orders  were  issued  to  the  14th  to  be  read)-  at 
sunrise  on  the  following  morning  for  a  reconnoissance.  They 
were  barely  ready  for  duty  when  Early  made  his  clashing  charge 
on  our  forces,  the  rest  of  the  troops  being  still  asleep.  Attempt- 
ing to  check  the  onward  rush  of  the  enemy,  the  14th  was  swept 
aside.  At  this  juncture  the  colonel  gave  the  order  to  retreat. 
What  followed  we  will  allow  Mr.  Quint  to  relate  in  his  own 
words:  "At  the  moment  the  colonel  gave  his  order,  James 
Burce,  George  Whittier,  of  Fayette,  and  myself,  were  standing 
together.  Whittier  said,  'Which  way  shall  we  go?'  I  replied, 
across  that  ravine.  Burce  said,  'They  will  shoot  every  one  of 
us  if  we  go  there.'  'Well,'  I  replied,  'I  had  rather  be  shot 
than  taken  prisoner.'  We  then  parted,  they  going  in  one  direc- 
tion  and   I   another.      Burce  was  taken   prisoner  and  Whittier  I 


364  HISTORY  OF  INDUSTRY. 

have  never  seen  since.  Eleven  of  us,  including  Lieut. -Colonel 
Bickmore,  started  to  cross  the  ravine,  and  on  rising  the  opposite 
bank  we  saw  the  enemy  at  the  point  we  had  just  left.  Rest 
assured  our  position  was  not  an  enviable  one,  as  we  were  within 
easy  range  of  the  enemy  and  the  air  was  as  clear  as  a  bell.  (  >ur 
lieutenant-colonel  was  the  first  man  that  fell,  mortally  wounded 
in  the  abdomen.  A  middle-aged  Irishman  and  I  were  in  the 
rear  of  all,  and  although  it  was  but  the  work  of  a  moment  to 
scale  the  hill,  yet  my  Irish  companion  and  I  were  the  only  ones 
to  reach  the  top  in  safety.  When  we  had  nearly  gained  the  top 
and  but  three  of  us  remained  standing, —  I  was  running  just 
behind  a  tall  man  when  my  toe  struck  against  something  and  I 
fell  forward  just  in  time  to  let  a  bullet  pass  over  me;  it  struck 
the  man  squarely  between  the  shoulders  and  he  fell  forward  and 
expired  without  a  groan.  The  Irishman  on  seeing  me  prostrate 
exclaimed,  'Ah,  me  sonney  is  gone  too  !'  but  I  was  unhurt,  my 
fall  had  probably  saved  my  life.  Gaining  the  top  of  the  hill  my 
Irish  comrade  and  a  wounded  soldier  with  their  muskets  and  I 
with  my  revolver  gave  the  horde  a  parting  shot.  I  believe  it  to 
be  a  fact  that  these  four  shots,  I  having  fired  two  from  my  revol- 
ver, was  the  last  resistance  made  by  our  brigade  until  Sheridan 
rallied  the  troops  in  the  afternoon."  This  engagement  is  known 
as  the  battle  of  Cedar  Creek.  Remaining  in  the  vicinity  of  this 
battlefield  several  weeks  they  moved  to  Kearnestown,  where 
heavy  works  were  erected,  in  which  they  remained  until  Dec. 
23,  1864.  Shortly  after  this  the  regiment  was  ordered  South. 
They  proceeded  to  Baltimore,  Md.,  and  embarked  on  the  11th 
of  January,  1865,  for  Savannah,  Ga.,  at  which  place  they  arrived 
on  the  20th,  and  occupied  the  city  till  May  7th.  From  thence 
the)-  went  to  Augusta,  Ga.,  where  they  arrived  on  the  14th  and 
remained  until  the  31st  of  Ma)',  when  they  were  ordered  back 
to  Savannah.  ( )n  the  9th  of  June  they  left  Savannah  for  Darien, 
Ga.,  and  there  remained  engaged  in  guard  and  patrol  duty  until 
Aug.  28,  1865,  when  they  were  mustered  out  of  the  service  and 
finally  discharged  at  Augusta,  Me.,  Sept.  28,  1865.  Mr.  Quint 
arrived  at  his  home  in  Industry  a  few  days  before  his  sixteenth 
birthday,  having  been  in  the  service  upward  of  eighteen  months. 


THE  BOYS  IN  BLUE.  365 

WILLIAM  L.  QUINT. 
William  Lawry  Quint,  son  of  Capt.  Joab  and  Elizabeth 
(Thing)  Quint,  was  born  in  Stark,  Me.,  Feb.  7,  1847.  Early 
in  the  first  year  of  the  war  he  enlisted,  but  was  stricken  with 
diphtheria  before  he  was  mustered  into  the  service  and  died 
Sept.  8,  1 861,  aged  14  years,  7  months  and  1  day. 

EDWIN   A.  R.  RACKLIFF. 

Edwin  Albert  Ruthven  Rackliff,  son  of  Benjamin  R.  and 
Rachel  (Oliver)  Rackliff,  was  born  in  Industry,  Aug.  17,  1841. 
Soon  after  completing  his  twentieth  year  he  enlisted  as  a  mem- 
ber of  Co.  E,  13th  Maine  Regiment,  Volunteer  Infantry,  Col. 
Neal  Dow.  Although  the  regiment  filled  quite  rapidly  Mr. 
Rackliff  was  obliged  to  remain  at  home  some  weeks  after  his 
enlistment.  At  length  a  sufficient  number  of  men  were  secured 
and  on  the  10th  of  December,  1861,  he  was  mustered  into  the 
U.  S.  service  at  Augusta,  Me.,  where  the  regiment  was  ren- 
dezvoused. After  some  weeks  spent  in  drill  and  the  usual  camp 
duties  the  regiment  left  the  State  capital,  Feb.  18,  1862,  to  as- 
sume its  part  in  the  great  civil  conflict,  and  arrived  in  Boston  the 
same  day.  While  in  this  city  the  regiment  was  quartered  in 
Faneuil  Hall.  On  the  20th  a  detachment  including  Mr. 
Rackliff's  company,  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Dow,  em- 
barked on  board  the  new  iron  steamer  "  Mississipi,"  bound  for 
Ship  Island,  Miss.  They  touched  at  Fortress  Monroe  on  the 
24th  to  take  on  board  General  Butler,  and  put  to  sea  on  the 
following  day.  The  steamer  encountered  a  tremendous  gale  off 
Cape  Hatteras,  which  placed  it  in  great  peril  for  a  few  hours. 
In  consequence  of  damages  sustained  by  grounding  on  Frying 
Pan  Shoals  the  "Mississipi"  put